V  •     «r    . 

ylvania  Veteran 


LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


RECEIVED    BY    EXCHANGE 


Class 


The  Story  of 

The  Forty-Eighth 


A   Record  of  the  Campaigns  of  the  Forty-Eighth 

Regiment  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteer 

Infantry  during  the  four  eventful  years 

of  its  service  in  the  war  for 

the  preservation  of 

the  Union. 


BY 


Joseph   Gould 


Late  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  the  Regiment, 
Mt.  Carmel,  Pa. 


PUBLISHED    BY  AUTHORITY    OF    THE 
REGIMENTAL    ASSOCIATION 


Arranged  by  Printed  ty 

FRANK  H.  TAYLOR  ALFRED  M.  SLOCUM  CO. 
718   Arch  Street  7**   Arch  Street 

Philadelphia  Philadelphia 


Dcbuatrb  to  tijp  memory  of 
comrabes  gone  before,  to  our  surbibing  members 
anb  to  the  lopal  frienb*  of  the  Regiment  in  g>chupUuU  Count?, 
helping  hanos  habe  eber  been  open  in  sustaining  the 
3U gitnental  organisation  anb  perpetuating  its  fame. 


188243 


Joseph  Gould 


PREFACE 

In  compiling  this  volume  the  author  has  had  access  to 
many  sources  of  information:  his  own  and  other  private 
diaries,  prepared  in  camp,  when  the  events  weqe  fresh,  at 
the  close  of  a  day's  march,  or  after  a  battle;  General  Orders; 
Official  Records  of  the  War;  historical  references;  extracts 
from  articles  culled  from  the  Century  and  other  magazines, 
giving  reminiscences  of  officers  on  both  sides  of  the  con 
flict;  biographies  and  auto-biographies  of  General  Officers; 
original  articles  by  members  of  the  Organization;  the  Offi 
cial  Report  of  Colonel  Henry  Pleasants,  whose  fertile  brain 
conceived,  engineered,  and  successfully  exploded  the  Mine 
at  Petersburg,  that  splendid  operation  that  has  given  the 
Regiment  a  unique  distinction,  not  enjoyed  by  any  other 
organization  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  and  last,  but  not 
least,  the  "Memorial  of  the  Patriotism  of  Schuylkill  County," 
compiled  and  published  by  Francis  B.  Wallace,  associate 
editor  of  the  Miners'  Journal,  in  1865,  from  the  files  of  that 
paper  during  the  war. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  work,  which  has  required  much 
labor  and  research,  some  slight  error  or  misstatement  of  fact 
may  have  crept  in;  if  such  be  found,  let  the  reader  be  not 
too  critical  or  severe,  but  remember  that  the  events  herein 
portrayed  occurred  over  forty-two  years  ago.  The  object  has 
been,  in  a  general  way,  to  add  to  the  history  of  those  stirring 
times  the  story  of  a  Regiment  proud  of  its  achievements 
and  inspired  by  the  hope  that  its  record  shall  not  be  for 
gotten  when  taps  shall  have  been  sounded  over  the  resting 
place  of  the  last  survivor,  but  that  the  youth  of  the  land  who 
may  perchance  read  its  history  may  emulate  its  deeds  by 
similar  patriotic  service  should  their  country  call  them  to 
do  battle  for  its  preservation  or  in  defense  of  its  flag. 

Th,e  author  extends  his  thanks  to  all  those  who  have 
aided  him  with  their  advice  or  labor.  Especially  is  he  under 
obligation  to  the  editors  of  the  Miners'  Journal,  who  so 


kindly  placed  the  files  of  their  paper  at  his  disposal;  to  Ser 
geant  P.  H.  Monaghan,  of  Company  F,  and  Robert  A.  Reid, 
of  Company  G,  for  original  articles  descriptive  of  some  special 
operation  observed  by  them;  to  Color  Sergeant,  Samuel  Bed- 
dall,  of  Company  E,  Sergeant  Daniel  Donne,  of  Company 
G,  and  Captain  F.  D.  Koch,  of  Company  I;  and  especially 
to  Sergeant  William  J.  Wells,  of  Company  F,  for  several  origi 
nal  articles  and  for  his  valuable  services  in  preparing  and 
editing  the  work. 

JOSEPH  GOULD, 
Late  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  48th  Regiment,  P.  V.  V.  I. 


Our  Comrades  and 
Our  Flag 


AUTHORIZATION 

Acting  under  the  authority  and  by  virtue  of  an  Act 
of  Assembly,  approved  May  n,  A.  D.  1905,  to  wit: — "An 
Act  to  authorize  the  purchase  of  historical  works  relative 
to  the  services  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  during  the  late 
Civil  War,"  at  a  regular  monthly  meeting  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  Survivors'  Association  of  the  48th  Regi 
ment  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,  held  at  Potts- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  ninth  day  of  April,  1905,  Joseph 
Gould,  late  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  the  Regiment,  was, 
by  resolution,  designated  as  the  historian  of  the  Regiment 
with  instructions  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  command  cover 
ing  its  four  years  of  service  between  August,  1861,  and 
July,  1865,  together  with  other  matters  pertaining  to  later 
events  of  interest  to  the  Organization. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting,  held  at  Pottsville  on  the 
twenty-fourth  day  of  June,  1905,  the  following  comrades 
were  appointed  as  the  committee  on  History  whose  duty  it 
was  to  aid  the  historian  in  collecting  data,  supervising  the 
work,  and  correcting  the  Company  Rolls,  so  as  to  provide 
a  complete  and  reliable  Roster  of  the  Regiment,  namely: — 
Sergeant  J.  S.  Honsberger,  of  Company  A;  Corporal  Andrew 
Wren,  of  Company  B;  Theodore  Titus,  of  Company  C;  Lieu 
tenant  Henry  Rothenberger,  of  Company  D;  Lieutenant  James 
May,  of  Company  E;  Sergeant  Patrick  H.  Monaghan,  of 
Company  F;  Sergeant  Daniel  Donne,  of  Company  G;  George 
W.  Christian,  of  Company  H;  Captain  Francis  D.  Koch,  of 
Company  I;  and  Sergeant  Daniel  F.  Bausman,  of  Co.  K. 

To  these  comrades  he  is  under  special  obligation,  in 
connection  with  Comrades  Captain  A  C.  Huckey,  Company 
A;  Sergeant  Samuel  Beddall,  Company  E,  and  Robert  A. 
Reid,  Company  G,  for  the  valuable  assistance  rendered  him 
in  preparing  the  Roster,  the  basis  of  which  is  "Bates's  History, 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  1861  to  1865." 


INTRODUCTION 

In  1832,  the  State  Legislature  of  South  Carolina,  under 
the  leadership  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  then  United  States  Sen 
ator  from  that  state,  passed  an  act,  known  as  the  Nullification 
Act,  which  denied  the  right  of  Congress  to  pass  laws  forcing 
them  to  obey  the  recently  enacted  Tariff  Act  and  declaring 
such  Act  "null  and  void."  Military  preparations  were  im 
mediately  made  in  South  Carolina,  and  civil  war  seemed 
inevitable.  Had  not  President  Andrew  Jackson  promptly  met 
this  crisis  with  his  usual  vigor,  and  issued  a  Proclamation 
warning  them  that  persistence  in  their  unlawful  acts  would 
provoke  the  power  of  the  Military  Arm  of  the  Government 
to  suppress  revolt,  the  conflict,  known  as  the  War  of  Rebel 
lion,  might  have  commenced  at  that  time,  instead  of  twenty- 
nine  years  later. 

During  these  twenty-nine  years,  events  were  constantly 
occurring  which  tended  to  bring  the  Northern  and  Southern 
sections  into  conflict,  knowingly  and  intentionally  on  the 
part  of  the  South,  unconsciously  upon  the  part  of  the  North. 
Various  compromise  Acts  were  passed  by  Congress  upon 
the  Tariff  and  Slavery  questions  during  this  time,  which, 
it  was  hoped,  would  be  acceptable  to  both  sections,  but  they 
proved  to  be  temporary,  only,  in  their  effect.  The  tariff 
question  ceased,  gradually,  to  be  the  great  bone  of  con 
tention,  and  the  slavery  question  became  the  all  absorbing 
subject  of  serious  dispute,  as  the  presidential  election  of  1860 
approached. 

When,  in  1854,  Congress  enacted  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill,  virtually  repealing  the  Missouri  Compromise  Bill  of 
1850,  which  opened  up  to  immigration  the  great  plains 
beyond  the  Mississippi  to  be  settled,  slave  or  free,  as  the 
settlers  themselves  decreed,  a  determined  effort  was  made 
by  the  South  to  people  the  new  land  by  emigrants  from  that 
section  to  enslave  it,  while  the  New  England  States,  where 
the  anti-slavery  sentiment  prevailed,  were  as  equally  deter 
mined  by  emigration  from  that  section  to  keep  it  free.  Civil 


War  in  Kansas  followed;  the  slavery  question  became  more 
bitter,  North  and  South;  and  the  nation  itself  was  rapidly 
plunging  into  Civil  War.  Political  parties  made  the  slavery 
question  their  dividing  line  of  policy,  the  one  advocating  and 
the  other  opposing  its  extension. 

The  presidential  election  of  1856,  convinced  the  South 
that  the  institution  of  Slavery  was  doomed  unless  strenuous 
efforts  on  their  part  were  made  to  preserve  it. 

The  offices  of  the  National  Government  at  Washington, 
especially  of  the  War  and  Navy  Departments,  were  filled  by 
Southern  men  or  men  largely  in  sympathy  with  them,  thus 
giving  the  South  the  virtual  control  of  those  Departments. 
Their  leaders,  therefore,  took  care  to  deprive  the  National 
authorities  of  the  proper  means  of  defense,  in  case  of  war,  by 
stealthily  removing  all  warlike  material,  possible,  to  Southern 
ports  and  arsenals,  commanded  by  officers  of  Southern  birth, 
largely,  who  had  been  educated  at  the  expense  of  the  Govern 
ment  they  were  sworn  to  defend,  but  afterwards  sought  to 
destroy;  likewise  they  arranged  that  the  war  vessels  of  the 
nation  similarly  officered,  should  be,  in  the  event  of  war, 
located  in  Southern  ports  or  on  foreign  stations.  They  knew 
full  well  that,  should  the  coming  presidential  election  result 
in  the  election  of  a  President  not  in  sympathy  with  the  South, 
Civil  War  was  inevitable,  and  they  would  be  prepared  for  it, 
while  the  Government  at  Washington  would  be  defenseless 
and  the  National  Capital  at  their  mercy. 

The  presidential  election  of  1860  resulted  in  the  election 
of  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illinois,  to  the  Presidency  on  a  plur 
ality  vote  as  the  candidate  of  the  Republican  party.  Three 
other  candidates  were  in  the  field,  representing  different  wings 
of  the  Democratic  party.  Throughout  the  campaign  the 
Southern  leaders  had  threatened  to  secede  if  Mr.  Lincoln 
were  elected,  for,  though  he  "held  that  slavery  must  be  pro 
tected  where  it  was,  it  ought  not  to  be  carried  into  the  Ter 
ritories."  This  threat  was  carried  out  by  the  secession  of 
South  Carolina  on  December  20,  1860.  Ten  other  states  sub 
sequently  passed  Ordinances  of  Secession,  and,  delegates 
from  these  states  met  at  Montgomery,  Alabama,  in  Feb 
ruary,  1861,  to  form  a  government  called  "Confederate  States 
of  America,"  Jefferson  Davis,  of  Mississippi,  being  elected 
its  President. 


Preparations  for  war  were  commenced  in  the  secedingf 
states  and  "United  States  forts,  arsenals,  custom  houses,  and 
ships  were  seized  by  the  states  in  which  they  were  situated." 
This  condition  of  affairs  continued,  the  governmental  offi 
cers  at  Washington  appearing  to  be  "paralyzed  with  fear." 

On  March  4,  1861,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  inaugurated 
President  amidst  the  plaudits  of  the  North  and  the  execrations 
of  the  South.  He  accepted  his  official  duties  "with  malice 
toward  none,  with  charity  for  all,"  and  declared  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  defend  the  government  "with  all  the  means  at  his 
command." 

Charleston,  South  Carolina,  was  now  the  storm  centre,, 
and  great  preparations  were  made  there  to  bombard  Fort 
Sumter,  to  which  fort  Major  Anderson  had  retreated  from 
Fort  Moultrie  upon  finding  his  position  there  untenable. 

At  2  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  April  12,  1861,  the  first  shot  was 
fired  upon  Sumter,  and,  after  a  terrific  bombardment  of  36 
hours  its  gallant  defenders,  unable  longer  to  maintain  their 
defense,  agreed  to  evacuate  the  fort,  marching  out  with  fly 
ing  colors,  after  saluting  their  flag,  on  April  I4th.  Up  to 
this  time  the  people  of  the  North  had  slumbered  in  their 
belief  that  their  Southern  brethren  would  not  go  to  the  extent 
of  firing  upon  the  flag,  but  this  act  had  a  "rude  awakening" 
for  them  and  the  patriotism  of  the  nation  burst  forth  like 
a  flame  unquenchable.  The  effect  was  electrical.  It  unified 
the  North  as  it  did  the  South.  The  war  spirit  swept  over  the 
country  like  wild  fire.  Party  lines  disappeared.  Many 
Union  men  in  the  South  were  borne  into  secession,  while 
Republicans  and  Democrats  in  the  North  combined  to  sup 
port  the  government. 

THE    FIRST   DEFENDERS 

On  April  loth,  Abraham  Lincoln  issued  a  Proclamation, 
calling  upon  the  loyal  states  to  furnish  to  the  government 
75,000  troops  to  serve  for  three  months.  Under  this  call 
Pennsylvania  promptly  responded  with  530  officers  and  men, 
known  since  as  the  "First  Defenders,"  because  they  were  the 
first  volunteer  troops  to  reach  the  Capital  for  its  defense. 
This  was  her  first  installment.  She  later  responded  with 
troops  beyond  her  quota,  the  excess  being  called  "Reserves." 
Of  the  "First  Defenders,"  Schuylkill  County  furnished  two- 


•companies,  viz.:  The  Washington  Artillery,  Captain  James 
Wren,  of  Pottsville,  131  men,  and  the  National  Light  Infantry, 
Captain  E.  McDonald,  also  of  Pottsville,  113  men.  These, 
together  with  the  Ringgold  Light  Artillery  of  Reading,  the 
Logan  Guards  of  Lewistown,  and  the  Allen  Infantry  of  Allen- 
town,  passed  through  Baltimore,  unarmed  and  exposed  to 
the  insults  and  assaults  of  a  secession  mob,  arriving  at  the 
Capital  at  8  P.  M.  of  the  i8th,  bivouacking  in  the  Capital. 
Congress  by  Special  Act,  recognized  the  patriotism  of  these 
gallant  men  and  the  Secretary  of  War  was  directed  to  issue  to 
each  one  of  them  the  Congressional  Medal,  bestowed  only 
upon  those  whose  services  merited  special  recognization. 

Many  of  these  men,  mostly  of  the  Washington  Artil 
lerists,  afterwards  served  in  the  48th  Regiment,  Pa.  Vol.  Inf., 
notably  James  Wren;  Philip  Nagle;  Joseph  A.  Gilmour;  Peter 
Fisher;  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell;  William  Auman;  Cyrus  Sheetz; 
and  Francis  A.  Stitzer,  all  of  whom,  at  some  period  of  its  ser 
vice,  commanded  companies,  while  James  Wren,  Joseph 
A.  Gilmour,  and  O.  C.  Bosbyshell  attained  the  rank  of  Major. 

The  patriotism  of  Schuylkill  County  during  the  Civil 
War,  1861-5,  was  unsurpassed  by  that  of  any  other  county 
in  Pennsylvania,  even  if  it  was  not  superior  to  any,  for,  out 
of  a  total  population  of  but  little  over  90,000  souls,  she  sent 
to  the  field — not  counting  naval  or  regular  army  enlistments,  of 
which  no  record  appears  to  have  been  kept — as  per  the  "Mem 
orial  of  Patriotism"  of  Schuylkill  County,  compiled  by  F.  B. 
Wallace,  of  the  Miners'  Journal,  a  grand  total  of  13,077  men, 
or  about  fourteen  per  cent.  These  men  were  scattered  in 
many  organizations,  but  two  full  regiments  went  from  her 
midst,  namely,  the  48th,  Colonel  James  Nagle,  and  the  C)6th, 
Colonel  Henry  L.  Cake,  each  of  ten  full  companies. 

The  events  herein  narrated  will  serve  to  prepare  the 
reader  for  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the  causes  which 
led  up  to  the  war  for  the  Union  which  resulted  in  the  pres 
ervation  of  our  national  integrity  and  forever  abolished 
liuman  slavery  from  our  borders,  a  war  in  which  the  48th 
Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  bore  no  in 
significant  part,  but  added  luster  to  the  military  fame  of 
Schuylkill  .County  and  glory  to  the  great  State  of  Penn 
sylvania. 

JOSEPH  GOULD. 


LIST    OF    CHAPTERS 


Chapter  I            Formation  of  the  Regiment 21 

II           Our  First  Camp — On  to  the  Front 34 

"        III          The    Hatteras    Expedition    and    the    Affair    of 

Newberne    39 

"       IV         Return  to  Virginia — Pope's  Campaign 61 

V  Second  Bull  Run 65 

VI  South  Mountain  and  Antietam 76 

"       VII        The  Fredericksburg  Campaign 94 

VIII       With  Burnside  to  Lexington,  Kentucky  Ill 

"       IX          The  Tennessee  Campaign   123- 

X           Re-enlistment  and  a  Visit  Home 155 

"       XI          The  Reorganization  of  the  Forty-Eighth  Regi 
ment   162 

XII  With  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  173 

XIII  In  Front  of  Petersburg 19& 

XIV  The  Petersburg  Mine   208 

"       XV        The  Explosion  and  Its  Results 230 

"       XVI       Later  Incidents  and  Operations  Around  Peters 
burg    277 

XVII  The  Assault  on  Fort  Mahone 289 

XVIII  The  Fall  of  Petersburg  and  the  End  of  the  War  302 

Addenda 312 

Our  Dead 316 

Roster 39£ 

Itinerary    46S 


LIST     OF     ILLUSTRATIONS 

Joe  Gould    4 

Brigadier-General  James  Nagle   

Major-General  A  E.  Burnside    

Major  Daniel  Nagle 53 

Captain  Philip  Nagle    58 

John  D.  Bertolette   71 

General  Jesse  L.  Reno  79 

South  Mountain,  Md 

Burnside's  Bridge  at  Antietam 83 

Col.  J.  K.  Sigfried 85 

Sergt.  Wm.  J.   Wells    95 

Ninth  Army  Corps  Crossing  the  Rappahannock 98 

David  Griffiths,  Co.  F 100 

Two  Minnie  Bullets    110 

General  Robert  B.  Potter 124 

Sergt.  William  J.  Wells,  Co.  F  149 

Colonel  Henry  Pleasants 171 

Major  Jos.  A.  Gilmour 185 

Picket   Station,   Petersburg    194 

The  James  River   196 

Richmond  and  Petersburg  198 

Sergt.  P.  H.  Monaghan,  Co.  F 199 

Captain  Joseph  H.  Hoskings,  Co.  F 202 

Diagram  of  Mines  214 

Lieut.  Douty,  Co.  K  216 

In  Front  of  Petersburg 218 

Between  the  Lines,  Petersburg 225 

Reservoir  Hill,  Petersburg   228 

Petersburg,  Va.,  Looking  Towards  Reservoir  Hill 231 

The  Crater  Immediately  After  the  Assault 233 

The  Crater  Occupied  by  Confederates  After  the  Assault 235 

Diagram  of  Crater   267 

2nd  Lieut.  Harry  Reese,  Co.  F 272 

Earthworks,  Front  of  Petersburg,  Va 286 

Col.  Geo.  W.  Gowen 291 

Field  and  Staff  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  June,  1865  308 

Regimental  Colors  at  Muster  Out,  July,  1865   311 

Philip    Ledrick,    Co.    D— Levi     Nagle,    Reg.    Band — Abraham 

Nagle,  Drum  Major — James  May,  1st  Lieut.,  Co.  E 315 

R.  A.  Reid,  Co.  G 325 

Captain  Cyrus  Scheetz,  Co.  G 329 

John  Lawrence,   Musician,   Co.   F — John  P.   Hodgson,   Co.   G 

—David  P.  Brown,  Co.  G— Sergt.  Henry  Shay,  Co.  H 335 

Captain  William  Winlack,  Co.  E 339 

George  Fame,  Sergt.  Major  and  Lieut 342 

Major  Frank  R.  Leib,  Chairman  Monument  Committee 343 

Henry  Krebs,  Q.  M.  Sergt, 346 

Henry  James,  1st  Lieut.,   Co.  F — Alexander  Goven,  Co.  G — 

Daniel  Doone,  Co.  G — S.  A.  Beddall,  Co.  E  347 

Mine  Entrance,  Petersburg  After  Forty-two  Years 350 

Major  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell 351 

Monument  Erected  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Penna 354 

Survivors  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Monument  at  Antietam ...  357 

Regimental  Monument  at  Petersburg,  Va 369 

The  Monument  Committee  at  Petersburg,  Va 372 

Miss  Bessie  Reed  and  Mrs.  Otelia  Mahone  McGill 380 

The  Marker  at  the  Crater,  Petersburg,  Va 392 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  I. 
Formation    of   Regiment 

A  Distinguished  Soldier — Recruiting — Company  Commanders 
—Field  and  Staff— The  Original  Muster  Roll— Forty-Eighth 
Regiment  Field  and  Staff — Band — Company  A — Company 
B — Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company  F — 
Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — 
Recapitulation — After  One  Year  of  War — Our  Colors 21 

CHAPTER  II. 
Our   First   Camp — On   to  the  Front 

At  Camp  Hamilton — Pleasant  Days  at  Fort  Monroe 34 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Hatteras  Expedition  and  the  Affair  of  Newberne 

At  Hatteras — Our  Zoo-Zoo  Neighbors — Fun  in  Camp — Burn- 
side's  Expedition — The  Newberne  Fight — A  Maritime 
Adventure — Wreck  of  the  "Oriental" — Captain  Nagle 
Resigns — Rumored  Capture  of  Richmond 39 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Return   to   Virginia — Pope's    Campaign 

Brigade  Changes — The  Ninth  Corps  to  the  Rescue— An  Inci 
dent  of  Battle 61 

CHAPTER  V. 

Second  Bull  Run 

An  Incident  of  Battle — Wounded — Missing 65 

CHAPTER  VI. 
South  Mountain  and  Antietam 

In  Maryland — South  Mountain — When  Reno  Fell — Antietam — 
The  Fight  at  the  Bridge — Battle  of  South  Mountain 
— Battle  of  Antietam  Creek — Killed — Wounded — A  Hard 
Fought  Battle — Retreat  of  Lee 76 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Fredericksburg  Campaign 

At  Fredericksburg— At  Marye's  Heights— Killed— Wounded ..         94 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
With  Biirnsirte  to  Lexington,  Kentucky 

To  the  Western  Army— At  Lexington,  Ky. — The  "Kentucky 
Loyalist" — July  4,  1863— Resignations  of  General  Nagle 
and  Major  Wren — Good-bye  to  Lexington Ill 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Tennessee  Campaign 

Blue  Springs — Straw-Voting  for  Curtin — Soldiers  Given  the 
Suffrage — Siege  of  Knoxville,  Tenn. — Campbell's  Station 
— Fort  Saunders — The  Adventure  of  Company  F — Hopes 
of  Help  and  Coffee — -At  Elaine's  Cross  Roads — Anxiety 
of  the  President— Bread  Pills— Like  Valley  Forge — Weary 
Marching— Back  to  Good  Old  Lexington  and  Plenty 123 

CHAPTER  X. 
Re-Enlistment  and  a  Visit  Home 

Homeward  Bound — Our  Pittsburg  Welcome — "The  Welcome 

Home" — The  Reception— Again  to  the  Front 155 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Reorganization  of  the  Forty-Eighth  Regiment 

Company  A — Company  B — Company  C — Company  D — Com 
pany  E — Company  F — Company  G — Company  H — Com 
pany  I — Company  K 162 

CHAPTER  XII. 
\Vith  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 

The  Soldier  and  His  Burden — Reviewed  by  President  Lincoln 
—From  the  Rapidan  to  the  James— Spottsylvania — A  Sol 
dier's  Farewell — Heavy  Losses — Company  A — Company 
B — Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company  F — 
Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — 
A  Confederate  Record — The  Marching  Forty-Eighth — 
Bethesda  Church — Company  A — Company  B — Company  D 
— Company  F — Company  H — Company  I — Company  A — 
Company  B — Company  C — Company  E — Company  F — 
Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K 173 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
In  Front   of  Petersburg 

In  the  Petersburg  Trenches — Gathering  in  the  Johnnies — A 
Charge  in  the  Dark — Spoils  of  War — Company  A — Com 
pany  B — Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company 
F — Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — 
Company  A — Company  C — Company  D — Company  F — 
Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — Heavy  Losses 
— Holding  the  Lines 195, 


CHAPTER.  XIV. 
The  Petersburg-  Mine 

The  Mine  Proposed — The  Mine  as  Planned — Measures  for 
Assault — Improvised  Tools — Difficulties  and  Perseverance 
— The  Powder  Placed — Failure  of  the  Assault — General 
Burnside's  Plan — A  Correspondent's  Description  of  the 
Mine — Confederate  Artillerymen  Destroyed — Objections 
Made  to  an  Assault  by  Colored  Troops — A  Night  of 
Waiting 208 


CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Explosion   and   Its  Results 

The  Enemy  Returns — Confusion  and  Disaster — Advance  of 
the  Negro  Troops— The  Suffering  of  Those  in  the  Crater — 
The  Enemy  Retakes  the  Crater — The  Cost  of  Many  Con 
fused  Orders — Other  Movements  upon  the  Siege  Line — 
The  Responsibility  Officially  Placed — A  Confederate's 
Description — The  Scene  as  Witnessed  by  a  Confederate 
Captain — Mahone's  Virginians — "Lee's  Last  Card" — Sur 
render  of  Survivors — Flags  of  Truce — Enemies  Fraternize 
— General  Alexander's  Narrative  of  the  Mine  Tragedy — 
The  Mine — Horrors  of  Rebel  Prison  Experience — Casualties 
in  the  Forty-Eighth  Regiment — Company  A — Company  B — 
Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company  F — 
Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K 230 


CHAPTER   XVI. 
Later  Incidents  and  Operations  Around   Petersburg 

Repulse  at  Hatcher's  Run — In  "Fort  Hell" — A  Bargain  in 
"Purgatory" — New  Year's  Day,  1865— Company  A — Com 
pany  B — Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company 
F — Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — 
Pickets  Tricked — New,  but  Gallant  Pennsylvanians 277 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Assault   on  Fort   Malione 

Death  of  Colonel  Gowen — Forty-Eighth's  Last  Fight — Casu 
alties  of  the  Forty-Eighth  Regiment  in  the  Closing 
Campaign — Company  B— Company  C— Company  G— Com 
pany  K — Charge  upon  the  Rebel  Fortifications  at 
Petersburg— Company  A— Company  B — Company  C — 
Company  D — Company  E — Company  F — Company  G 
— Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — The  Forty- 
Eighth  Pa.  Assault  on  Fort  Mahone — The  Regimental 
Colors  289 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Fall  of  Petersburg  and  the  End  of  the   War 

Final  Scene  of  Great  Struggle— Down  Pennsylvania  Avenue. .       302 

ADDENDA 

Casualties — Taken  Prisoners  and  Where  Confined — Total 
Enlistments — The  Total  Number  of  Men  Furnished  by 
Schuylkill  County  During  the  War — Our  Dead — Forty- 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  Regiment — Company  A — Company 
B — Company  C — Company  D — Company  E — Company  F — 
Company  G — Company  H — Company  I — Company  K — • 
Recapitulation — A  Reminiscence — Formation  of  the  Sur 
vivors'  Association — Forty-Eighth  Regiment,  P.  V.  V.  I. — 
The  Present  Officers,  1906,  and  Re-elected  for  1907 
— On  to  Richmond— Traitors  Beware — Captain  William 
Winlack — A  Recollection — Antietam — Forty-Eighth  Penna. 
Volunteer  Infantry — Survivors  of  Antietam — Description 
of  the  Monument — Branch  Ave. — Forty-Eighth  Penna. 
Volunteer  Infantry,  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Ninth 
Corps — Unveiling  Ceremonies  of  an  Imposing  Bronze 
Statue,  June  20,  1907,  Erected  by  the  Forty-Eighth  Penna. 
Veteran  Association  in  Prince  George  Co.,  Va. — Forma 
tion  of  Line  and  Parade — At  the  Monument — Program — 
Address  of  Welcome — Response  to  the  Address  of  Wel 
come — Transfer  of  the  Monument — Monument  Unveiled 
— The  Monument — Acceptance  of  Monument — Governor 
Stuart  Speaks — Acceptance  of  Custody  of  Monument — 
Oration — Interesting  Address  at  the  Crater 312 


ROSTER 

Company  A — Company  B — Company  C — Company  D — Com 
pany  E — Company  F — Company  G — Company  H — Com 
pany  I — Company  K — Field  and  Staff  of  the  Forty-Eighth 
Penna.  Regiment,  Veteran  Volunteers — Non-commissioned 
Staff— Regimental  Band — Unassigned  Men 399 

ITINERARY 

1861—1862—1863—1864—1865    .  463 


Brte.-Cenernl   James  IVagle 
First   Colonel   of  the   Regiment 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  21 


CHAPTER  I. 
Formation  of  the  Regiment 

In  July,  1861,  President  Lincoln  issued  a  call  for  six 
hundred  thousand  additional  troops,  and  Governor  Curtin 
promptly  set  about  raising  the  quota  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  invited  Col.  James  Nagle,  of  Pottsville,  among  others, 
to  recruit  a  regiment,  and  he  immediately  resolved  to  form  a 
command  composed  entirely  of  Schuylkill  County  men.  Col. 
Nagle  had  served  in  the  three  months'  service,  responding  to 
President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  men, 
as  Colonel  of  the  6th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  had  in  earlier  life  served  with  distinction  in  the 
Mexican  War,  as  Captain  of  Company  B,  ist  Regiment  of 
Pennsylvania  Infantry,  from  December  5,  1846,  to  July  28, 
1848,  and  was  eminently  fitted  for  this  emergency. 

A  DISTINGUISHED  SOLDIER 

James  Nagle  was  born  in  the  city  of  Reading,  Pa.,  upon 
April  5,  1822.  He  became  a  resident  of  Pottsville,  Schuylkill 
County,  where,  in  1842,  he  organized  the  Washington  Artil 
lery  Company.  Upon  the  declaration  of  war  against  Mexico 
he  tendered  the  services  of  his  company  to  the  Government 
and  it  was  accepted. 

The  company  left  Pottsville,  December  5,  1846,  and  was 
mustered  in  as  Company  B,  ist  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Col. 
Frank  Wynkoop.  Capt.  Nagle  saw  service  at  Vera  Cruz, 
Cerro-Gordo  and  Puebla,  and  participated  in  all  of  the  prin 
cipal  engagements  until  the  end  of  the  war.  The  company 
was  mustered  out  at  Philadelphia  and  reached  Pottsville  on 
the  28th  of  July,  1848. 

In  the  three  months'  service  at  the  opening  of  the  Civil 
War  he  was  commissioned  as  colonel  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Regiment  and  served  in  the  Brigade  of  Gen.  George.  H. 
Thomas,  and  was  engaged  at  Falling  Waters,  Va.  At  the  close 


22  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

of  this  service  he  organized  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
and  was  prominently  identified  with  this  command  until  May 
9th,  1863,  when  he  was  obliged  to  resign,  owing  to  a  disease 
which  threatened  his  life. 

He  afterward  became  the  colonel  of  the  39th  Pennsylvania 
Militia  Regiment  (emergency)  in  the  Gettysburg  Campaign 
and  in  1864  of  the  I94th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  100  days' 
men,  and  commanded  a  brigade  in  both  campaigns,  having, 
in  the  latter  campaign,  been  in  command  of  some  8,000  troops 
located  at  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

He  died  August  22, 1866,  from  an  attack  of  his  old  enemy, 
angina  pectoris. 

RECRUITING 

Recruiting  of  the  new  regiment  was  commenced  and 
vigorously  prosecuted.  Camp  Curtin,  at  Harrisburg,  was 
selected  as  the  place  for  assembling  and  forming  the  regiment. 
Early  in  September,  so  rapidly  had  enlistments  been  made, 
the  regiment  was  ready  for  the  field. 

COMPANY  COMMANDERS 

Colonel  Nagle  had  associated  with  him  as  company 
commanders  D.  B.  Kaufman,  Company  A,  whose  company 
was  recruited  at  Port  Clinton,  Hamburg  and  Tamaqua;  James 
Wren,  Company  B,  Pottsville;  Henry  Pleasants,  Company  C, 
Pottsville;  Daniel  Nagle,  Company  D,  Pottsville;  William 
Winlack,  Company  E,  who  found  a  fruitful  field  for  volunteers 
in  Silver  Creek  and  New  Philadelphia ;  Joseph  H.  Hoskings, 
Company  F,  whose  men  came  principally  from  Minersville; 
Philip  Nagle,  Company  G,  Pottsville;  Joseph  A.  Gilmour, 
Company  H,  Pottsville;  John  R.  Porter,  Company  I,  Middle- 
port,  and  H.  A.  Filbert,  Company  K,  from  Schuylkill  Haven 
and  Cressona. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF 

The  field  and  staff  consisted  of:  Colonel,  James  Nagle; 
lieutenant  colonel,  D.  A.  Smith;  major,  Joshua  K.  Sigfried; 
adjutant,  John  D.  Bertolette.  Upon  the  resignation  of  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  D.  A.  Smith  at  Hatteras,  N.  C.,  prior  to  mus- 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  23 

ter,  Major  Joshua  K.  Sigfried  succeeded  to  this  position  and 
Captain  Daniel  Nagle  was  elected  major.  Quartermaster, 
James  Ellis;  surgeon,  David  Minis;  assistant  surgeon,  Charles 
T.  Reber;  chaplain,  Samuel  A.  Holman.  On  September  2nd, 
1861,  the  Citizens'  Cornet  Band  of  twenty-five  members  left 
Pottsville  for  Harrisburg  to  join  the  48th  Regiment. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  State  service  upon 
September  iQth  and  into  the  United  States  service  upon 
October  i,  1861. 

THE  ORIGINAL  MUSTER   ROLL 

'  As  the  48th  Regiment  was  the  first  of  Schuylkill  County's 
three  years'  forces  to  march  to  the  seat  of  war,  we  give  the 
organization  of  the  regiment  as  it  left  the  State,  and  the  muster 
rolls  of  the  companies.  Recruiting  subsequently  added  to 
its  strength,  and  we  have  embodied  all  the  names  of  the 
members  of  the  Regiment  from  the  time  it  was  mustered  into- 
service,  up  to  the  period  of  preparing  this — over  a  year: 

On  account  of  the  discrepancy  in  the  spelling  of  names 
arising  from  the  four  years  of  service  of  the  Regiment  and  the 
lapse  of  time  since  the  discharge  to  the  date  of  publication, 
for  the  correctness  of  names  and  remarks  see  the  final  roster 
on  page  399. 

FORTY-EIGHTH  REGIMENT 
FIELD  AND  STAFF 

Colonel,  James  Nagle;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Joshua  K.  Sigfried; 
Major,  Daniel  Nagle;  Quartermaster,  James  Ellis;  Chaplain,  Samuel  A. 
Holman;  Sergeant-Major,  Charles  Loeser,  Jr.;  Commissary-Sergeant. 
Charles  W.  Schnerr;  Fife-Major,  James  W.  Sterner;  Drum-Major, 
Abraham  Nagle.  Total,  9. 

BAND 

Staff-Major,  William  A.  Maize;  Leader,  J.  W.  Souders; 
William  J.  Feger,  Daniel  Kopp,  John  T.  Hays,  Charles  Hemming,  Levi 
Nagle,  William  Birt,  John  Cruikshank,  Thomas  Severn,  Charles  A. 
Glenn,  John  George,  John  Drouble,  William  Lee,  Edward  L.  Haas, 
James  Aikman,  Frederick  Brown,  Nicholas  McArthur,  Albert  Bowen, 
James  N.  Garrett,  John  Aikman,  William  Hodgson,  Charles  Slingluff, 
William  H.  Gore,  C.  T.  McDaniel,  H.  Wheat.  Total,  26. 


24  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

COMPANY  A. 

Captain,  Daniel  B.  Kaufman;  ist  Lieutenant,  Abiel  H.  Jackson; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Henry  Boyer;  Orderly  Sergeant,  Benj.  G.  Otto;  ist 
Sergeant,  Lewis  B.  Eveland;  2nd  Sergeant,  Albert  C.  Huckey;  3d 
Sergeant,  William  Taylor;  4th  Sergeant,  Milton  B.  Nice;  ist  Corporal, 
John  J.  Huntzinger;  2nd  Corporal,  Francis  M.  Stidham;  3d  Corporal, 
Peter  Zimmerman;  4th  Corporal  John  Little;  5th  Corporal,  John  S. 
Bell;  6th  Corporal,  John  Taylor;  7th  Corporal,  Joseph  B.  Carter. 

PRIVATES. — George  Airgood,  George  Albright,  William  Betz, 
Elias  Brittain,  George  Briegel,  Thos.  B.  Boyer,  Chas.  Brandenberg, 
Israel  Brittain,  William  A.  Berger,  George  Betz,  John  Cochran,  John 
Cochley,  B.  F.  Ctimmings,  James  Day,  Patrick  Dailey,  Henry  Davis, 
Jacob  Deitrich,  William  Dreibelbeis,  Benjamin  Dreibelbeis,  George 
Ehrgood,  James  S.  Eveland,  William  Eddinger,  Samuel  Eckroth, 
Franklin  Frederici,  Chas.  Goodman,  Abram  Greenawald,  John  Gallagher, 
Charles  Krueger,  John  Hummel,  William  F.  Heiser,  Henry  C.  Hons- 
berger,  Jacob  S.  Honsberger,  William  Jacob  Hein,  John  Heck,  Jordan 
C.  Haas,  Lewis  Hessinger,  William  K.  Jones,  Newry  Kuret,  Willis  L. 
Kerst,  William  H.  Koch,  Coleman  Jacob  Kramer,  Benjamin  Keller, 
Franklin  Koenig,  George  Liviston,  Daniel  Leiser,  John  H.  Leiser, 
William  Miller,  William  Meek,  Bernhard  McGuire,  Levi  Morganroth, 
John  McLain,  James  Meek,  Samuel  B.  Moyer,  Joel  Marshall,  George 
Miller,  William  Neeley,  Andrew  Neeley,  Simon  Nelson,  Isaac  Otto, 
John  Pugh,  George  Prigel,  Henry  H.  Price,  Richard  B.  Perry,  George 
Ramer,  Lewis  M.  Reese,  John  Rulf,  Frank  W.  Simon,  Augustus 
Shickram,  John  Springer,  Morgan  Simon,  Henry  Schreger,  John  V. 
Spreese,  Nelson  Simon,  David  Steel,  Jesse  Springer,  Abraham  F. 
Seltzer,  John  Shenk,  Henry  Simpson,  John  Stahlnecker,  Obediah 
Stahlnecker,  Bernard  West,  Franklin  Wentzell,  John  Weibels,"  John 
Whitaker,  Samuel  Weiser,  Oliver  Williams,  John  F.  Youser. 

Commissioned  officers,  3 ;  non-commissioned  officers,  12 ;  musi 
cian,  I ;  wagoner,  i ;  privates,  88.  Total,  105. 

COMPANY    B. 

Captain,  James  Wren;  ist  Lieutenant,  Ulysses  A.  Bast;  2nd 
Lieutenant,  John  L.  Wood;  Orderly  Sergeant,  Wm.  H.  Hume;  2nd 
Orderly  Sergeant,  Thomas  Johnson;  3d  Orderly  Sergeant,  Philip  D. 
Hughes;  4th  Orderly  Sergeant,  John  G.  W.  Bassler;  5th  Orderly  Ser 
geant,  Nelson  W.  Major;  ist  Corporal,  Joseph  Kirby;  2nd  Corporal, 
Reuben  Robinson;  3d  Corporal  Joseph  Johnson;  4th  Corporal,  Andrew 
Wren;  5th  Corporal,  George  Evans;  6th  Corporal,  Jacob  Freshley; 
7th  Corporal,  Samuel  C.  Stouch;  8th  Corporal,  Thomas  P.  Williams. 

PRIVATES.— Solomon  Augusta,  Charles  Bickley,  Joseph  Brown, 
John  S.  Earnhardt,  Dominick  Burk,  Alfred  E.  Bendley,  Rchard  Brown, 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  25 

Sebastian  Bickert,  Clement  Betzler,  William  Bradley,  Joseph  Brooks, 
Samuel  Brooks,  Lawrence  Brennan,  John  Baker,  John  Collohan,  Philip 
Carlan,  Joseph  Corby,  Henry  Copeland,  Robert  Campbell,  Thomas  Con- 
nell,  Patrick  Dorsey,  Charles  Dress,  Jackson  Delany,  Michael  Devine, 
Thomas  Davidson,  John  Davis,  David  J.  Davis,  Wm.  Davidson,  Wm. 
Davis,  Wm.  Durkin,  George  E.  Evans,  Israel  Eiler,  William  Freeman, 
Michael  Finerty,  Wm.  H.  Francis,  Isaac  L.  Fritz,  Edmund  Gabriel,  Wm. 
Hill,  Daniel  Hoffy,  Matthew  Humes,  Cary  Heaton,  John  Hower,  John 
Caspar  Henrie,  John  Howells,  Wm.  Harris,  John  Hafling,  Wm.  Humer, 
Conrad  Harn,  Jas.  Hunter,  Frederick  Knittle,  Pharaoh  Krebs,  Abra 
ham  Kleckner,  Wm.  Kissinger,  Peter  Lufle,  Peter  Langton,  Mark 
Lamb,  John  Lucid,  Jackson  Long,  Thos.  C.  Littlehales,  Jonathan  C. 
Lewis,  Lawrence  Moyer,  David  W.  Molsen,  George  Marsden,  Anthony 
McNerney,  Michael  Malarkey,  Thomas  Mack,  Rolandus  Mayer, 
Rehrig,  John  Robinson,  James  Rider,  Adam  Rush,  Paul  Sheck,  Nicholas 
Shilterhower,  Jos.  Sefrin,  Samuel  Stanley,  Solomon  Schaeffer,  Peter 
Schultz,  David  Thomas,  Thomas  Taylor,  John  Vincent,  John  W. 
Williams,  John  Wadsworth,  Wm.  H.  WTard,  John  Watkins,  John  Wil 
liams,  Thos.  G.  Williams,  Philip  Yost. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned,  13;  musicians,  2; 
wagoner,  i;  privates,  92.  Total,  in. 

COMPANY   C. 

Captain,  Henry  Pleasants;  ist  Lieutenant,  George  W.  Gowen; 
2nd  Lieutenant  Thomas  F.  Fitzsimmons;  ist  Sergeant,  Charles  W. 
Erdman ;  2nd  Sergeant,  William  Clark ;  3rd  Sergeant,  Charles  H. 
Miller;  4th  Sergeant,  Oliver  C.  Hatch;  Color  Sergeant,  Arthur  P. 
Hatch;  ist  Corporal,  David  O'Brien;  2nd  Corporal,  James  Hood; 
3rd  Corporal,  James  Gribens;  4th  Corporal  Jas.  Clark;  5th  Corporal, 
Edward  Monahan;  6th  Corporal,  John  Dooley;  7th  Corporal,  Samuel 
Lewis ;  8th  Corporal,  Obadiah  Stalnacker ;  Drummer,  Lewis  Howard ; 
Fifer,  William  D.  Williams;  Wagoner,  Theodore  Titus. 

PRIVATES. — Peter  Bowman,  Edward  Brennen,  Murt.  Brennen, 
William  Brennen,  Thomas  Burk,  William  Birt,  Michael  Condron, 
James  Conner,  Patrick  Cummings,  Edward  Daniels,  William  J.  Daubert, 
Henry  Dersh,  John  Dougherty,  William  Dudley,  William  Degan,  Henry 
Earley,  John  Eppinger,  William  Fitzpatrick,  Daniel  Flagherty,  Albert 
T.  Frazer,  Jonas  Geiger,  Barney  Gettler,  Gilbert  Graham,  Thomas  Hana- 
hoe,  Henry  Hurst,  Wm.  H.  Hulsey,  David  Hamilton,  James  Horn 
Jacob  Haines,  George  W.  Hatch,  Henry  Casper,  George  Hitchings, 
John  Harrison,  Samuel  Harrison,  Jacob  Jones,  William  Jones,  John 
Jones,  John  W.  Jones,  James  Lowe,  William  Larkin,  William  Liviston, 
Thomas  McAvoy,  Edward  Morgan,  William  McFarrel,  Michael 
McGloughlin,  Henry  Merlin,  John  Mullin,  John  Murray,  James 
McElroth,  Robert  McElroth,  John  Murphy,  James  Nicholson,  Henry 


2G  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

O'Connell,  Thomas  Owens,  Edward  Owens,  Hugh  Pickfert,  Thomas 
Phalen,  Lewis  C.  Quigley,  Edward  Rouch,  William  Rodgers,  James 
Roberts,  John  O.  Rorety,  Henry  Rudge,  Daniel  Richard,  Solomon 
Strauser,  Jacob  Smith,  Francis  S.  Smith,  Andrew  Scott,  John  Shelby, 
Martin  Toben,  Richard  Toben,  William  Thomas,  John  Woll,  Thomas 
Whalen,  Charles  Walker,  Henry  Weiser,  John  Weiser,  Samuel  Weiser. 
Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  13;  musi 
cians,  2. ;  wagoner,  I ;  privates,  78.  Total,  97. 

COMPANY  D. 

Captain,  Daniel  Nagle;  ist  Lieutenant,  Wm.  W.  Potts;  2nd 
Lieutenant,  Charles  Kleckner;  Orderly  Sergeant,  Henry  P.  Owens; 
2nd  Sergeant,  James  K.  Helms;  3rd  Sergeant,  Alex.  Fox;  4th  Sergeant, 
Peter  C.  Krieger;  5th  Sergeant,  William  Bambrick;  ist  Corporal, 
George  Ramer;  2nd  Corporal,  Leonard  F.  Schrisron;  3d  Corporal, 
James  Evans;  4th  Corporal,  William  Timmons;  5th  Corporal,  Peter 
Fisher;  6th  Corporal  Edward  Reichard;  7th  Corporal,  Israel  Van- 
cannon,  8th  Corporal,  Henry  E.  Stichter. 

PRIVATES. — George  Artz,  Walter  P.  Ames,  Charles  Aurand,  James 
Brennen,  Sr.;  John  Bambrick,  Jas.  Bambrick,  George  Bowman,  Philip 
Beckman,  Mattis  Bailey,  James  Brennen,  Jr.;  Henry  Berkholter,  Elias 
Bixler,  John  Bixler,  Philip  Henry  Cantner,  John  W.  Derr,  Levi  Derr, 
John  H.  Derr,  Jonathan  Detreich,  Franklin  Dorward,  Jacob  Derr, 
Solomon  Eister,  Henry  Graeff,  Henry  Gottshall,  Horatio  Grim,  William 
Houck,  John  W.  Heibner,  Franklin  Houck,  Peter  Hartz,  Mattis 
Hinan,  John  Hunchinger,  George  Hartz,  William  Harris,  George  W. 
James  Thomas  Kinney,  Elias  Koble,  Philip  H.  Kanter,  John  Kessler, 
Andrew  Klock,  David  T.  Krieger,  Isaiah  Kline,  Jarrett  Kline,  George 
W.  Kline,  Joseph  Koons,  Charles  Kline,  Jacob  Koons,  John  Liercett, 
Edward  Lenhart,  Charles  W.  Lindenmuth,  James  Mangham,  James  D. 
Morgans,  Charles  Miller,  Levi  Morganrantz,  John  Nunemacher,  Albert 
R.  Norronger,  Botto  Otto,  Lewis  Quinn,  William  Ryan,  Henry  Rothen- 
berger,  William  Reese,  George  Shertle,  John  Sullivan,  William  H. 
Smith,  David  Smith,  William  Shaeffer,  Mat.  Shaeffer,  George  W. 
Stellwagon,  Addison  S.  Seamon,  Andrew  Spear,  Samuel  Stichter, 
Augustus  Tobergty,  Solomon  Ungstadt,  Daniel  Wolf,  Thomas  Whalen, 
Christian  Wildt,  Daniel  Weldy,  Henry  Williamson,  Jacob  F.  Werner, 
Henry  Wahaller,  Solomon  Yarnall. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned,  13;  musicians,  3; 
teamster,  I ;  privates,  79.  Total,  99. 

COMPANY  E. 

Captain,  William  Winlack;  ist  Lieutenant,  William  Cullen;  2nd 
Lieutenant,  Thomas  Bohannan;  Orderly  Sergeant,  Joseph  H.  Fisher; 
2nd  Sergeant,  John  Seward;  3rd  Sergeant,  Johnson  Stafford;  4th  Ser- 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  27 

geant,  Thomas  Tosh;  5th  Sergeant,  William  Trainer;  ist  Corporal, 
John  McElrath;  2nd  Corporal,  James  Brennen,  3d  Corporal,  Michael 
Landy;  4th  Corporal,  Samuel  Clemens;  5th  Corporal,  James  May;. 
6th  Corporal,  William  Clemens;  7th  Corporal,  David  McAllister;  8th 
Corporal,  William  Macky;  Drummer,  George  Latham;  Fifer,  John 
Cameron ;  Wagoner,  John  McSorely. 

PRIVATES. — Alfred  Barlow,  James  Burger,  James  Brown,  John 
Becker,  John  Brennen,  Michael  Bohannan,  Samuel  A.  Beddall,  James 
Breslin,  Michael  Brennen,  Thomas  Brennen,  John  Burns,  John  Bread- 
bent,  Lewis  Butler,  Solomon  Berger,  John  Burns,  Richard  Coogan,. 
Peter  Cresson,  Jefferson  Canfield,  Michael  Devine,  John  Doe,  Henry 
Dooling,  Michael  Delaney,  John  Dooly,  John  Duneho,  James  Ervin, 
John  Ferguson,  James  Farrel,  James  Greener,  John  Garrison,  Thomas 
Griffith,  John  Greiner,  William  Hyland,  Fritz  Henry,  Gottleib  Henry,, 
John  Jones,  William  Jenkins,  William  Jefferson,  Elijah  Knight,  Joseph 
Lord,  Henry  Lord,  Patrick  Lynch,  James  McLaughlin,  David  Morgan, 
William  Morgan,  John  Mercer,  John  McFreely,  George  McNeely,  Sr. ; 
George  McNeely,  Jr.;  Thomas  Major,  John  Martin,  Edward  Murphy, 
James  Miller,  William  Miller,  John  McGrath,  Robert  McRay,  John 
McSorby,  William  Morse,  Michael  McAllister,  William  Morgan,  John 
Penman,  Robert  Penman,  Michael  Poet,  James  Purcil,  William  Poet, 
Robert  Patton,  Patrick  Rogers,  William  Robertson,  James  Rogers,. 
Daniel  E.  Reedy,  Samuel  Seward,  John  Sunderland,  James  Smith, 
John  Schrader,  James  Simpson,  John  Spousler,  Alfred  Trainer,  Robert 
Thompson,  David  Williams,  John  Walker. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned1  officers,  13;  musi 
cians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  79.  Total,  98. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain,  Joseph  H.  Jioskings;  ist  Lieutenant,  Henry  James;  2d' 
Lieutenant,  John  L.  Williams;  ist  Sergeant,  John  W.  Jenkins;  2nd 
Sergeant,  William  E.  Taylor;  3rd  Sergeant,  Chas.  W.  Haines;  4th 
Sergeant,  James  A.  Easton;  5th  Sergeant,  Henry  Reese;  ist  Corporal, 
Henry  Jenkins;  2nd  Corporal,  Jeremiah  Griffiths;  3rd  Corporal,  Wm.  S.. 
Redner;.4th  Corporal,  William  Hopkins;  5th  Corporal,  Joseph  Gould; 
6th  Corporal,  George  N.  Douden;  7th  Corporal,  David  Griffiths; 
Musician,  John  Lawrence;  Musician,  David  Fulton. 

PRIVATES. — James  Andrews,  Albert  Adam,  John  Brown,  Charles 
Boyer,  William  Brereton,  William  Ball,  John  Devlin,  Jr. ;  Isaac  Dando, 
John  Devine,  Samuel  Dunkerly,  George  Edwards,  James  W.  Evans, 
William  Fulton,  Richard  Francis,  James  Glenn,  Edward  Griffith,  Cyrus- 
Haynes,  Francis  Jones,  William  T.  Jones,  William  Jenkins,  Michael 
Killrain,  William  Ladenburg,  Jonathan  Leffler,  John  Lencia,  Richard 
Littlehales,  Thomas  Leyshorn,  Thomas  Lloyd,  Thomas  Mooney,  Pat 
rick  Monaghan,  John  Morrissey,  John  McGee,  John  J.  Morrison,. 


28  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Morgan  P.  Owens,  Robert  D.  Patton,  John  Powell,  Edward  G.  Pugh, 
James  Paully,  John  Phillips,  Patrick  Quinn,  Peter  Quinn,  William 
Sedgwick,  William  Straw,  John  Starr,  Thomas  J.  Thomas,  Thomas 
Thomas,  Stephen  Taggart,  Charles  Treisbach,  Evan  Thomas,  Thomas 
E.  Taylor,  Richard  Williams,  William  J.  Wells,  Robert  Wallace, 
William  D.  Williams,  John  Wilson,  Daniel  S.  Wolff. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  12;  musi 
cians,  2;  privates,  55.  Total,  72. 

COMPANY  G. 

Captain,  Philip  Nagle ;  1st  Lieutenant,  Cyrus  Sheetz;  2nd  Lieu 
tenant,  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell;  ist  Sergeant,  Henry  C.  Jackson;  2nd 
Sergeant,  Richard  M.  Jones ;  3rd  Sergeant,  Robert  Smith ;  4th  Sergeant, 
Theodore  F.  Patterson;  5th  Sergeant,  Reuben  Reeser;  ist  Corporal, 
James  C.  Neis;  2nd  Corporal,  William  Auman;  3rd  Corporal,  Curtis 
C  Pollock;  4th  Corporal,  Charles  F.  Kuentzler;  5th  Corporal  Charles 
B.  Evans;  6th  Corporal  George  Fame;  7th  Corporal  William  Martin; 
8th  Corporal,  Edward  H.  Sillyman;  Drummer,  Samuel  E.  Banghart; 
Fifer,  James  Auman;  wagoner,  Henry  Hablery. 

PRIVATES. — William  P.  Atkinson,  Lawrence  Brennan;  Michael 
Brennan,  David  P.  Brown,  Louis  A.  Bright,  William  A.  Beidleman, 
Joseph  Bell,  John  R.  Brown,  Mathusalem  Berger,  John  Becker,  Henry 
Burnish,  Joel  Betz,  Patrick  Cummings,  Michael  Clark,  Thomas  Clark, 
*John  S.  Clemens,  James  Chadwick,  Daniel  Donne,  Philip  L.  Deihl, 
John  Delaney,  Henry  Doolin,  Henry  Dentzer,  David  Eberly,  Clement 
Evans,  Edward  Flanagan,  John  Fame,  William  Freeman,  John  Galli- 
gen,  William  P.  Gillingham,  Washington  J.  Glassmire,  John  Grace, 
Alexander  Govern,  Jr.;  Andrew  Galligen,  John  P.  Hodgson,  John 
Hutton,  John  Humble  fCharles  H.  Hazzard,  ?William  H.  Hardell, 
John  W.  Jones,  John  P.  Kuentzler,  Henry  Krebs,  John  Kagel,  §Charles 
Loeser,  Jr. ;  James  Muldowney,  William  Maurer,  Edward  Murphy,  Joel 
A.  Mark,  George  Myer,  William  Mason,  John  Muldowny,  Edward 
McCabe,  Henry  W.  Nagle,  Patrick  Nash,  Abraham  Nagle,  Edward  F. 
Owens,  John  Pugh,  William  Price,  Louis  Quinn,  John  Rogers,  Robert 
Reed,  Patrick  Ryan,  Adam  Reed,  Valentine  G.  Raush,  Josiah  A.  Reed, 
John  H.  Smith,  William  Smith,  John  Shaw,  William  Stevenson,  Edward 
Sykes,  William  Strauser,  Monroe  T.  Schreffler,  Daniel  Smail,  Charles 
Timmons,  John  Toben,  George  Traub,  Jr. ;  Jonathan  Wallingham,  John 
Wonders,  Henry  Yerger. 

Commissioned  officers,  3 ;  non-commissioned  officers,  13 ;  musi 
cians,  2 ;  wagoner,  i ;  privates,  78.  Total,  97. 

*John  S.  Clemens,  appointed  Orderly  to  Colonel  Nagle. 
tCharles     H.     Hazzard,     appointed     Clerk    to     Major     General 
Mansfield. 

^William  H.  Hardell,  appointed  Hospital  Steward. 
§Charles  Loeser,  Jr.,  appointed  Sergeant  Major. 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  29 

COMPANY  H. 

Captain,  Joseph  A.  Gilmour;  ist  Lieutenant,  William  J.  Hinkle; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Edward  C.  Baird;  ist  Sergeant,  Daniel  D.  McGinnes; 
2nd  Sergeant,  Samuel  M.  Ruch;  3rd  Sergeant,  Alexander  S.  Bowen ; 
4th  Sergeant,  Thomas  J.  Rose;  5th  Sergeant,  William  T.  Garrett;  ist 
Corporal,  Charles  C.  Hinkle ;  2nd  Corporal,  Samuel  B.  Laubenstein ; 
3rd  Corporal,  James  R.  Hetherington ;  4th  Corporal,  Raymond  A. 
Jenkins;  5th  Corporal,  Alba  C.  Thompson;  6th  Corporal,  William 
Brown;  7th  Corporal,  David  B.  Brown;  8th  Corporal,  Joseph  Reed; 
Musicians,  Andrew  J.  Snyder,  Martin  Acorn :  Wagoner,  Charles  Kyer» 

PRIVATES. — Albert  Adams,  Lewis  Aurand,  John  Baer,  John  E. 
Benedict,  Crawford  Bennie,  Henry  Bensteel,  William  H.  Berlie,  George 
M.  Christian,  William  H.  Dreibelbeis,  William  Davis,  Charles  Dreis- 
bach,  Richard  Edwards,  Charles  Eberly,  George  T.  Eisenhuth,  David 
Everly,  John  Engel,  Charles  Focht,  Samuel  Fryberger,  Henry  Fery, 
Richard  Forney.  Alfred  C.  Forney,  Albert  Hartline,  John  M.  Howell, 
Richard  Hopkins,  William  Huber,  John  H.  C.  Heffner,  Anthony 
Herbert,  John  E.  Kalbach,  Valentine  Kimmel,  Francis  D.  Krebs, 
William  Lloyd,  Franklin  Leib,  Edward  M.  Leib,  George  W.  Mowry, 
Henry  C.  Mathews,  John  F.  Kleinginna,  Thomas  Kelly,  Benjamin 
Kohler,  William  V.  B.  Kimmel,  Charles  Knarr,  Daniel  Lauer,  William 
Loeser,  William  A.  Lloyd,  William  D.  Lloyd,  Horace  Lloyd,  Bernhard 
McGuire,  James  Marshall,  William  A.  Millet,  Conrard  Miller,  Daniel 
Moser,  James  Mulholland,  Joseph  Metz,  Charles  Metz,  James  Marshall, 
Joseph  Metzinger,  William  Nagle,  Charles  Norrigan,  Daniel  Ohnmacht, 
Samuel  Petit,  Henry  Parensteel,  August  Reese,  William  Reese,  Peter 
Radelberger,  John  W.  Ray,  Michael  Scott,  Thomas  H.  Sillyman,  Isaac 
L.  Schmehl,  George  Schilthorn,  John  A.  Sponsaler,  Henry  Shay, 
David  A.  Smith,  Peter  Smith,  James  Wentzell,  Henry  Williams,  Josiah 
F.  Wildermuth,  Joseph  Weise,  Jacob  Wagner,  Jacob  A.  Whitman,  John 
Winlaw,  Jacob  Weise. 

Commissioned  officers,  3 ;  non-commissioned  officers,  13 ;  musi 
cians,  2 ;  wagoner,  i ;  privates,  80.  Total,  99. 

COMPANY   I. 

Captain,  John  R.  Porter;  ist  Lieutenant,  George  H.  Gressang;. 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Michael  M.  Kistler;  ist  Sergeant,  Benjamin  B.  Schuckf 
2nd  Sergeant,  Francis  D.  Koch;  3rd  Sergeant,  Samuel  F.  Kehl;  4th 
Sergeant,  Theodore  Pletz;  5th  Sergeant,  Hugh  Koch;  ist  Corporal, 
Edward  Shappell;  2nd  Corporal,  Eli  McCord;  3rd  Corporal,  Jacob 
Ungstadt;  4th  Corporal,  Harrison  H.  Hill;  5th  Corporal,  Oliver  A.  J. 
Davis;  6th  Corporal,  Benjamin  B.  Kershner;  7th  Corporal,  Joseph 
Edwards;  8th  Corporal,  Charles  E.  Weaver;  Musicians,  Allen  Koch; 
William  Faust. 


:30  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

PRIVATES. — Isaac  Arnold,  Francis  Allebach,  Isaac  Arndt,  Josiah 
Barringer,  Isaac  Beltz,  Alexander  Boone,  Anthony  K.  Beltz,  Isaac  K. 
Beltz,  Jacob  W.  Bachman,  Francis  Boner,  Harrison  Bunce,  John  F. 
Bachman,  Daniel  S.  Boyer,  Thomas  Coombe,  Charles  Curtis,  John 
Clark,  Elias  Dresh,  Lewis  Douglass,  William  F.  Eddinger,  Levi  Fisher, 
Eli  Foust,  Lewis  V.  Focht,  Nathan  Furman,  John  De  Frehn,  William 
Fenstermacher,  Jacob  Gangloff,  Joseph  Gilbert,  Daniel  Glase,  William 
Halsey,  Benjamin  Hoffman,  Frederick  Henry,  James  Heiser,  Josiah 
Hein,  Barnard  A.  Houser,  Jonas  Haldeman,  Wesley  Knittle,  Franklin 
Kramer,  Elias  Kehl,  Charles  N.  Kretter,  Peter  Keller,  Josiah  Kramer, 
Henry  Keyman,  George  Klase,  Daniel  Klase,  Charles  R.  Koch,  Henry 
W.  Kreter,  Israel  Kramer,  Hezekiah  Link,  Charles  F.  Leiser,  Charles 
.S.  Leiser,  John  Moser,  James  McReynolds,  William  Miller,  John 
E.  Moyer,  Charles  H.  Millet,  James  Millet,  William  Munberger,  William 
Owens,  Henry  Reinhart,  Henry  Reinhard,  James  Raynolds,  Conrad 
Reich,  Rudoph  Rumble,  Jacob  H.  Rumble,  Franklin  Reigel,  George 
-Schertle,  Augustus  Shulther,  Christian  Seward,  Luke  Swain,  William 
S.  Snyder,  George  Sassaman,  Elias  Thresh,  Alfred  Trainer,  John 
Umbenhocker,  Benneville  Williams,  William  Weiers,  Franklin  Yost, 
Benjamin  Zimmerman. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  13;  musi 
cians,  2;  privates,  78.  Total,  96. 

COMPANY  K. 

Captain,  Henry  A.  M.  Filbert;  ist  Lieutenant,  Isaac  F.  Brannon; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Douty;  ist  Sergeant,  Francis  A.  Stitzer;  2nd 
Sergeant,  Patrick  F.  Quinn;  3rd  Sergeant,  Thomas  Irvin;  ist  Corporal, 
Daniel  Moser;  2nd  Corporal,  Thomas  Brennan;  3rd  Corporal,  Patrick 
Hanley;  4th  Corporal,  Francis  Jones;  5th  Corporal,  George  J.  Weaver; 
6th  Corporal,  Charles  D.  Boyer;  7th  Corporal,  James  Moran;  8th 
Corporal,  George  M.  Dengler;  Musicians,  William  Straw,  John 
M.  Brown. 

PRIVATES.— David  Boyer,  Peter  Boyer,  John  Berger,  Joseph 
Burgess,  Peter  Burke,  Daniel  Bausum,  Michael  Brennen,  John  Brawn, 
William  Bull,  Isaac  F.  Brannan,  James  Brennan,  Joseph  Chatham, 
Michael  Clarey,  John  A.  Crawford,  John  Carr,  John  Campfield,  Thomas 
Curry,  John  Carey,  John  Dechant,  George  Dentzer,  William  H.  Dress, 
David  R.  Dress,  David  D.  Dress,  Jonathan  Dress,  William  D.  Dress, 
Charles  Dress,  Albin  Day,  James  Day,  Sr. ;  Frederick  H.  Day,  Michael 
Delaney,  James  Dullard,  Nelson  Drake,  William  Doubert,  Adam  Engly, 
Richard  Edwards,  Horatio  Edinger,  Edward  Edwards,  David  Fenster- 
mache'r,  William  Fenstermacher,  Elias  Fenstermacher,  Lorenzo  Focht, 
Arthur  Grey,  Christian  Haertler,  Adam  Hendley,  Nathaniel  Houser, 
Hugh  B.  Harkins,  Howard  W.  Haas,  James  Kavenaugh,  David  Long, 
William  Laubenstein,  John  Lowler,  Jesse  Lord,  Charles  Long,  William 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  31 

Labenberg,  John  Lawrence,  Jacob  Lettcrman,  Lewis  Maul,  Philip 
McKeever,  John  Murphy,  George  F.  Mains,  Henry  McDermot,  James 
McDonald,  Michael  Mullin,  Daniel  Moser,  Daniel  Omacht,  Edward  P. 
Payne,  William  T.  Reed,  William  Richards,  John  Rees,  John  Raber, 
Nathan  Rich,  Franklin  Simon,  Frederick  W.  Snyder,  David  H.  Stitzer, 
Henry  Shultz,  John  Sherman,  Daniel  Shanley,  John  Starr,  Hiram 
Spears,  Adam  Scherman,  Peter  Stine,  Edward  Shappell,  Thomas  Toban, 
John  Wool,  John  Widner,  John  Weaver. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  n;  musi 
cians,  i;  privates,  86.  Total,  101. 

RECAPITULATION 

Field  and  staff,  9 ;  regimental  band,  26 ;  commissioned  line  officers, 
30;  non-commissioned  officers,  126;  musicians,  19;  wagoners,  7; 
privates,  793.  Total  in  regiment,  1,010. 

AFTER  ONE  YEAR  OF  WAR 

In  October,  1862,  when  the  regiment  had  been  decimated 
by  disease  and  battle,  having  then  been  more  than  a  year  in 
the  service,  its  strength  was  reported  to  us*  by  the  command 
ing  officer  at  467,  of  which  number  357  were  fit  for  duty. 

While  Colonel  Nagle's  Regiment  was  lying  at  Harrisburg, 
the  "Tower  Guard,"  Captain  Pleasants,  of  Pottsville,  joined 
it.  An  exceedingly  liberal  and  patriotic  act  on  the  part  of 
Captain  Tower  in  connection  with  the  raising  of  the  com 
pany,  merits  notice  and  perpetuation.  It  is  thus  spoken  of  by 
the  Harrisburg  Union: 

THE  "TOWER  GUARD." — "On  Monday  afternoon  Captain 
C.  Tower,  of  Pottsville,  who  -brought  one  hundred  and  sixty 
men  from  Schuylkill  County  to  Camp  Curtin  last  April,  and 
attached  them  to  the1  Sixth  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers  and  who  served  through  the  three  months'  service  as 
Captain  of  his  company,  called  the  "Tower  Guard,"  which  he 
uniformed  handsomely  at  his  own  expense,  in  that  regiment, 
was  in  Camp  Curtin  again,  and  paid  five  dollars  apiece,  or 
$430  in  all,  to  eighty-six  men  who  have  come  there  from  that 
county  anew,  and  are  enlisted,  under  the  name  of  "Tower 
Guard,"  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war,  in  the  United 
States  service.  Mr-  Tower  had  offered  this  sum  as  a  bounty, 
and  has  now  paid  it  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  men  who  would 

*Editor  Miners'  Journal. 


32  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

enlist,  as  these  have  done,  under  the  command  of  Henry 
Pleasants,  also  of  Pottsville,  his  former  Lieutenant,  as  their 
Captain.  This  company  contains  now  eighty-nine  men, 
officers  and  all,  being  six  more  than  the  required  number.  It 
is  attached  to  the  Forty-eighth  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  Col.  James  Nagle,  and  is  made  up  of  young, 
hardy,  and  in  every  way  remarkable  men;  and  it  has  been 
assigned  to  bear  and  guard  the  colors  of  the  regiment.  Mr. 
Tower  made  a  short  and  suitable  address  to  the  company  after 
the  bounty  was  paid.  From  the  appearance  of  the  men, 
and  their  enthusiastic  cheering  while  they  listened  to  his 
patriotic  exhortations,  we  look  to  see  this  company  fore 
most  among  the  first  in  duty  and  skill,  and  always  steadfast 
and  effective  around  the  flag  of  our  country  in  battle. 

We  are  glad  to  see  such  men  as  Captain  Pleasants 
brought  to  command  our  volunteers.  We  learn  that  he  is  a 
civil  engineer  of  considerable  experience,  and  is  well  educated 
and  intelligent.  We  could  see  that  he  is,  while  modest  and 
considerate,  at  the  same  time  firm  and  ambitious;  and  we 
believe  that  with  such  unflinching  men  as  are  under  him,  he 
will  do  such  service  to  the  country  as  will  bring  him  more 
worthy  notice  hereafter  than  we  now  give  him. 

In  the  meantime,  the  country  may  well  appreciate  the 
services  and  expenditures  of  Mr.  Tower,  both  heretofore  and 
now  also,  in  helping  to  enlist  this  new  company  of  rare  men 
under  such  a  Captain  as  Henry  Pleasants,  to  serve  until  the 
great  rebellion  is  at  an  end,  and  freedom  shall  be  endangered 
no  more." 

Prior  to  being  sworn  and  accepted  into  the  United  States 
service,  every  member  of  the  command  underwent  a  rigid 
examination,  and  a  very  trifling  defect  in  physical  make-up 
prevented  acceptance  of  recruits  by  the  officer  making  the 
examination. 

OUR  COLORS 

At  the  muster  into  the  State  service  two  stands  of 
colors  were  presented  to  the  regiment,  one  of  them,  by 
Governor  Andrew  G.  Curtin,  upon  behalf  of  the  State,  who 
made  a  very  eloquent  speech  to  the  boys,  and  was  heartily 


FORMATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  33 

cheered  at  its  close.  The  second  stand  was  presented  by 
John  T.  Werner,  of  Pottsville,  a  grand  old  patriotic  citizen — 
one  of  those  men  whom  it  was  a  pleasure  to  know  and  be 
associated  with. 

Letter  to  Miners'  Journal: 

CAMP  CURTIN,  SEPT.  1861. 

DEAR  SIRS: — I  desire  to  acknowledge  through  your 
valuable  journal,  the  receipt  of  a  beautiful  flag,  forwarded 
and  presented  to  my  regiment  by  our  fellow  townsman,  John 
T.  Werner,  Esq.  We  feel  very  grateful  to  him,  and  return 
our  most  sincere  thanks  for  the  beautiful  National  Flag  he 
saw  fit  to  present  to  us — the  flag  we  all  swore  to  protect  and 
defend,  and  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  48th  will 
do  its  duty,  knowing  our  cause  is  just. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

JAMES  NAGLE,  Col. 


34  STORY   OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  II. 
Our  First  Camp — On  to  the  Front 

Sword  presentation,  from  Miners'  Journal,  Sept.  2ist, 
1861 :  The  ladies  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  in  consideration  of 
the  high  personal  character  and  unalloyed  patriotism  of 
Lieutenant  U.  A.  Bast,  of  Captain  James  Wren's  Co.  "B," 
of  the  48th  P.  V.,  presented  him  with  a  beautiful  sword,  sash 
and  belt.  The  Lieutenant  was  ordered  to  the  front  before 
the  sword  had  been  received  from  the  donors,  and  it  was 
forwarded  to  Camp  Curtin. 

The  Lieutenant  acknowledged  the  receipt  in  a  very 
patriotic  letter,  addressed  to  Misses  Fannie  H.  Koons,  Addie 
Kline  and  Kate  M.  Levan,  the  committee  in  charge. 

On  the  24th  we  received  orders  to  proceed  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  on  Wednesday,  September  25th, 
1861,  the  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  P.  V.,  left  Harrisburg, 
for  Fortress  Monroe,  via  Baltimore.  On  the  road  between 
Harrisburg  and  Baltimore  a  fiendish  attempt  was  made  to 
throw  the  train  from  the  track.  Only  two  of  the  cars  were 
thrown  off,  and  beyond  a  few  bruises,  none  of  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Regiment  were  injured.  Arriving  at  Balti 
more  we  learned  our  destination  was  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va.,  and  we  embarked  upon  the  steamer  Georgia  for 
that  point.  We  kept  the  captain  of  this  vessel  pretty  busy 
chasing  us  from  one  side  of  the  vessel  to  the  other  in  order 
to  keep  his  boat  "trimmed."  It  was  learned  afterward  that 
the  boat  was  not  as  staunch  as  she  should  have  been  to  carry 
such  precious  freight.  After  an  all-night  run,  we  landed  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  went  into  camp  near  Hampton.  The 
camp  was  called  "Hamilton."  Here  we  settled  down  into  a 
soldier's  life  as  naturally  and  contentedly  as  though  we  were 
old  veterans. 


ON  TO  THE  FRONT  35 

AT  CAMP    HAMILTON 

During  our  stay  at  Camp  Curtin,  we  had  been  put 
through  but  little  drilling,  saving  squad  drills  once  or  twice 
daily,  company  drills  once  each  day,  and  regimental  drill  but 
twice  during  our  entire  stay  at  that  camp.  At  Camp  Hamil 
ton,  however,  strict  attention  was  given  to  squad,  company 
and  regimental  drills,  and  the  regiment  was  soon  considered 
the  best-drilled  organization  of  the  volunteers  at  this  camp. 

In  September,  the  officers  and  members  of  the  late  6th 
Regiment,  P.  V.,  prepared  for  presentation  to  their  late 
Colonel,  Jas.  Nagle,  a  fine  field-glass,  bearing  the  following 
inscription: 

TO   JAMES    NAGLE, 
COLONEL  481  H  REGIMENT,  P.  V. 

From  the  Officers  and  Privates  of  his  old  command,  the  late  6th  Regi 
ment,  P.  V.,  as  a  Tribute  of  regard  for  his  Gallantry  and  Patriotism. 
Pottsville,  October  3rd,  1861. 

The  Regiment  moved  from  Harrisburg  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  before  the  glass  was  ready  for  presentation,  and 
on  the  loth  of  October  it  was  received  with  the  annexed  letter, 
by  the  Colonel,  at  Camp  Hamilton: 

POTTSVILLE,  OCTOBER  8,  1861. 
COL.  JAMES  NAGLE: 

Dear  Sir:  A  number  of  your  friends,  officers  and  privates  of  the 
late  Sixth  Regiment,  P.  V.,  commanded  by  you  during  the  time  it  was 
in  service,  desire  to  present  the  accompanying  field-glass,  for  your 
acceptance,  in  token  of  our  high  personal  esteem,  and  the  exalted 
opinion  we  entertain  of  your  military  knowledge  and  capacity. 

Though  your  characteristic  modesty  may  shrink  from  any  public 
eulogy  of  your  conduct  and  services,  our  gratitude  and  admiration  will 
not  permit  us  to  pass  them  by,  without  this  tribute  of  affection 
and  respect. 

For  many  years  past  the  military  spirit  and  organization  of 
Schuylkill  County  have  been  chiefly  sustained  by  your  exertions.  When 
the  Nation's  honor  was  to  be  "maintained  on  the  plains  of  Mexico,  you 
with  a  well  disciplined  corps  under  your  command,  sprang  to  arms  and 
hastened  to  the  field  of  conflict;  in  Cerro  Gordo's  terrific  fight  you 
stood  calm  and  unmoved  amid  the  leaden  storm  of  death  which  fell 
on  every  side,  and  by  your  presence  of  mind  and  courage  saved  many 
gallant  men  from  the  fearful  carnage. 


36  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

During  the  long  season  of  peace  which  followed  the  closing  of 
that  war,  in  your  own  quiet  and  happy  home,  you  faithfully  discharged 
the  duties  of  a  husband,  father  and  citizen,  endearing  yourself  both  to 
your  family  and  the  community  in  which  you  dwelt. 

But  now  the  tocsin  of  war  sounds  through  the  land,  and  her 
valiant  sons  are  called  to  defend  her  against  foul  rebellion's  deadly 
Mows.  Speedily  a  regiment  of  your  fellow  citizens  takes  the  field, 
and  confers  upon  you  the  command.  During  the  three  months  we 
served  together,  though  inflexibly  firm  and  persistently  industrious  in 
the  performance  and  requirement  of  every  camp  and  field  duty,  yet 
such  was  the  kindness  of  your  demeanor,  and  your  tender  regard  for 
the  health,  safety  and  comfort  of  your  men,  that  we  regarded  you 
rather  as  a  friend  and  father,  than  a  mere  military  commander. 

And  now,  that  you  have,  at  the  head  of  a  Schuylkill  County 
Regiment — Pennsylvania's  48th — again  taken  the  field  at  your  country's 
call,  and  may  soon  be  in  the  thickest  of  the  most  eventful  battle  the 
world  has  ever  witnessed,  on  the  issue  of  which  the  destiny  of  human 
freedom  and  progress  is  suspended,  we  present  you  with  the  accom 
panying  glass,  as  well  in  token  of  our  esteem  and  admiration,  as  that 
your  eye  which  never  dimmed  with  fear  as  it  gazed  upon  a  foe,  may 
more  readily  perceive  his  approach  and  prepare  for  victory. 

Praying  that  the  God  of  Battles  may  preserve  you  in  the  midst 
of  danger,  and  return  you  unharmed  to  your  family  and  friends,  when 
our  glorious  Union  shall  be  firmly  re-established,  and  covered  with 
still  more  illustrious  renown,  We  remain,  yours  truly, 

CAPT.   C.   TOWER, 
LT.    COL.    JAS.    J.    SEIBERT, 
MAJ.  JOHN  E.  WYNKOOP, 
CAPT.  H.  J.  HENDLER, 
LIEUT.    THEO.    MILLER, 
LIEUT.   D.    P.   BROWN, 

And  many  others. 
To  which  Col.  Nagle  replied  as  follows: 

HEADQUARTERS  48TH  REGT.,  P.  V.,  CAMP  HAMILTON, 

NEAR  FORTRESS  MONROE,  October  nth,  1861. 
Gentlemen  and  Brother  Officers,  Soldiers  and  Friends:  Your 
favor  of  the  8th  inst.  came  to  hand  yesterday,  with  the  beautiful  field- 
glass  you  saw  proper  to  forward  for  presentation^  to  me.  I  can  assure 
you,  it  affords  me  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  receive  and  accept 
this  tribute  of  affection  and  respect,  coming  from  those  whom  I  had  the 
honor  to  command  in  the  three  months'  service.  I  always  tried  to 
discharge  my  duties  faithfully,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  and  am  led 
to  believe  that  you  were  all  satisfied  with  my  conduct.  I,  therefore, 
accept  the  token  of  respect  you  send  me,  with  feelings  of  gratitude  and 
thankfulness,  and  hope  I  may  be  able  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  48th 


ON  TO  THE  FRONT  37 

to  the  extent  you,  gentlemen  of  the  6th,  have  expressed  in  your  letter, 
and  manifested  in  your  beautiful  present.  It  is  a  source  of  great 
pleasure  and  gratification  to  me  to  know  that  my  services  have  been 
appreciated  by  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  6th  Regiment.  In  conclu 
sion,  allow  me  again  to  return  you  my  most  sincere  thanks  for  this 
valuable  gift,  praying  with  you,  that  the  God  of  Battles  may  preserve 
us  in  the  midst  of  danger,  and  return  us  unharmed  to  our  families  and 
friends,  after  our  glorious  Union  shall  have  been  firmly  re-established, 
and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  shall  again  be  floating  proudly  over  the 
whole  of  our  country, 

I  remain,  Gentlemen,  very  respectfully,  your  Obedient  Servant, 

JAMES  NAGLE, 
Colonel  commanding  48th  Regt.,  P.  V. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  age  of  the  soldiers  and  the 
number  of  very  young  boys  in  the  ranks,  I  copy  from  a  letter 
written  from  Camp  Hamilton,  October  9,  1861 :  "The 
members  of  our  Co.  "F"  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege 
provided  them  by  the  State  laws,  of  voting  for  the  county 
candidates,  and  the  number  of  votes  polled  was  22,  all  that 
were  entitled  to  a  vote.  The  company  numbered  at  that 
time  71  men." 

PLEASANT   DAYS  AT  FORT   MONROE 

We  enjoyed  every  minute  we  spent  at  this  place.  We 
were  pleasantly  situated,  having  plenty  of  army  rations  and 
luxuries  in  lavish  abundance.  Fish,  oysters,  clams  and  crabs 
could  be  had  with  little  effort,  and  despite  a  few  rain-storms, 
accompanied  by  wind,  which  blew  our  tents  down,  and  obliged 
some  of  us  to  sleep  in  a  few  inches  of  water,  we  were  com 
fortable  and  happy. 

While  at  this  camp,  evidently  with  a  view  to  increase  the 
vigilance  of  the  guards,  General  Jos.  K.  F.  Mansfield,  then 
commanding  the  troops  at  Camp  Hamilton,  and  who  was 
subsequently  killed  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862,  walked 
into  the  camp  of  the  48th,  night  after  night,  going  to  the 
Colonel's  tent  to  let  him  know  of  his  presence  in  camp  and 
his  manner  of  entry.  Day  after  day,  while  on  regimental  drill, 
Colonel  Nagle  formed  the  regiment  in  "hollow  square"  and 
told  of  Mansfield's  nocturnal  visit  to  his  quarters.  He  was 
greatly  displeased  at  this  seeming  lack  of  vigilance  on  the 


38  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

part  of  the  guards,  and  demanded  greater  care  by  officers 
and  men;  but  the  nightly  invasions  continued,  though  not  so 
frequently. 

On  one  night,  however,  the  guards,  instead  of  meeting 
at  intervals  to  exchange  remarks  and  pause  a  moment  before 
marching  away  from  each  other,  only  to  repeat  the  trick 
with  the  next  sentinel,  kept  about  equi-distant,  and  General 
Mansfield  found  so  much  difficulty  in  trying  to  get  through  the 
line,  that  his  entry  was  under  the  escort  of  the  Officer  of  the 
Guard,  who  conducted  him  to  the  Colonel's  quarters,  to  whom 
he  admitted  the  danger  of  further  trying  to  "run  the  guard." 
Congratulations  followed,  and  that  officer  never  again  tried 
to  get  into  the  48th  camp,  so  far  as  known,  except  in  the  regu 
lar  way,  and  by  day-light.  This  episode  occurring  just  in  the 
formative  period  of  the  regiment,  the  impression  remained,  and 
vigilance  on  camp  and  picket  guard  became  a  marked  charac 
teristic  of  the  command,  as  the  Colonel  of  the  First  Delaware, 
on  duty  as  Field  Officer-of-the-Day,  later  discovered,  at  the 
same  camp,  while  trying  to  pass  a  48th  picket,  contrary  to  his 
own  orders  given  at  the  posting  of  the  picket,  when  he  after 
ward  declared:  "These  Pennsylvanians  would  as  soon  shoot 
as  look  at  you." 

Hampton,  just  across  the  Back  River  from  our  camp, 
had  been  destroyed  by  fire  by  order  of  Gen.  Magruder.  The 
destruction  was  complete,  scarcely  a  house  being  left  standing. 
One  large  brick  house  upon  the  bank  of  the  river,  said  to 
have  been  the  residence  of  President  Tyler,  had  not  been 
burned,  but  there  were  visible  evidences  of  vandalism  in  and 
around  it. 

We  visited  Fortress  Monroe  during  our  stay  and  were 
interested  very  much  in  the  dress-parades  of  the  regular 
soldiers  and  the  arrangement  of  the  large  cannon  mounted 
in  the  embrasures. 

Along  about  the  I3th  of  October  vessels  began  to  arrive 
laden  with  troops  destined  for  Port  Royal,  S.  C,  until  about 
thirty  thousand  troops  were  collected  at  this  point,  amongst 
them  the  4th  Rhode  Island,  ist  Delaware  and  55th  Pennsyl 
vania  Regiments. 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  39 


CHAPTER  III. 
The  Hatteras  Expedition  and  the  Affair  of  Newberne 

Upon  October  22d  we  were  furnished  with  the  necessary 
clothing  and  camp  equipage,  and  armed  with  Harper's  Ferry 
muskets,  carrying  ''buck  and  ball"  cartridge.  Our  first  uni 
forms  were  of  very  ordinary  quality,  and  it  took  but  a  few 
weeks  of  service  to  develop  the  weak  spots  in  their  make-up. 

Upon  the  26th  a  review  of  all  the  troops  at  this 
point  was  held  and  was  quite  an  interesting  event.  On 
the  29th  the  fleet  sailed  for  Port  Royal,  and  by  evening  not  a 
sail  was  in  sight.  On  Sunday,  the  loth  of  November,  we 
received  orders  to  prepare  for  a  trip  to  Hatteras,  N.  C,  and 
immediately  all  was  bustle  and  excitement  amid  the  packing 
and  cooking  of  rations  for  the  journey.  The  next  morning  we 
embarked  on  the  steamer  5.  R.  Spaulding,  a  staunch,  com 
fortable  vessel,  and  were  soon  steaming  for  our  destination. 
A  very  pleasant  voyage  it  proved  to  be,  and  ended  next  day, 
the  1 2th,  at  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  we 
proceeded  at  once  to  disembark  and  get  into  camp. 

AT  HATTERAS 

We  found  some  difficulty  here,  as  our  camp,  that  was  to 
be,  was  about  a  half  mile  from  the  wharf,  and  part  of  the 
distance  was  waist  deep  with  water,  through  which  we  were 
obliged  to  wade  and  carry  all  our  camp  equipage. 

Hatteras  Inlet,  the  scene  of  the  engagement  in  which 
Gen.  Butler  and  the  fleet  won  their  victory,  is  situated  about 
twelve  miles  from  Cape  Hatteras  Lighthouse.  It  is  known 
to  the  mariner  as  a  low,  sandy  island,  which  was  formerly 
a  rude  hummock,  covered  with  trees  on  the  east  of  the 
entrance. 

As  an  entrance  to  Pamlico  Sound,  Albemarle  and  Cur  • 
rituck  Sounds,  the  possession  of  Hatteras  Inlet  was  of  vast 
importance  to  the  Government.  With  Ocracoke  and 


40  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

Hatteras  Inlets  closed,  North  Carolina  may  be  said  to 
be  completely  shut  in  from  the  ocean.  Privateers  could  no 
longer  be  sent  through  the  Albemarle  Sound,  and  all  com 
munication  between  Virginia  and  Europe  was  effectually  cut 
off.  Newberne,  on  the  Neuse  river,  and  a  number  of  other 
ports  on  the  Roanoke  and  Chowan  rivers  were  also  included 
in  the  blockade. 

A  correspondent  in  the  Miners'  Journal,  of  the  i8th  of 
November,  1861,  says,  relative  to  our  landing  at  Hatteras: 
"At  eight  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  we  dropped  anchor 
off  Fort  Hatteras,  and  succeeded,  after  considerable  diffi 
culty,  in  getting  a  plank  from  an  old  wreck.  Down  this 
plank,  which  had  an  elevation  of  at  least  45  degrees,  our 
regiment  landed — one  man  at  a  time.  Having  at  last  reached 
shore,  we  formed  line  on  the  beach,  and  took  up  our  line 
of  march  for  Fort  Hatteras,  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  up 
the  beach.  When  we  had  accomplished  one-half  the  dis 
tance,  the  regiment  halted  to  make  preparations  to  wade  an 
inlet  separating  us  from  the  fort.  In  ten  minutes  we  were 
moving  again,  and  such  a  looking  set  of  men — some  without 
breeches,  in  their  drawers,  and  many  without  either,  and  it 
was  a  laughable,  enjoyable  sight  and  furnished  much  amuse 
ment  to  the  men." 

A  few  huts  stood  on  the  sandy  beach,  and  these  were 
occupied  by  some  of  the  officers,  who  shortly  ascertained  that 
other  inhabitants  were  also  residing  there,  and  would  neither 
move  nor  pay  rent.  Great  disgust  was  manifested  by  the 
occupants  of  the  huts  at  this  time,  but  we  all  became  very 
familiar  with  the  same  kind  of  tenants  in  greater  numbers 
in  later  campaigns.  Fort  Clark,  overlooking  the  entrance  to 
the  Inlet,  and  Fort  Hatteras,  on  the  Pamlico  Sound,  were 
earthworks  that  had  been  erected  by  the  rebels  to  protect  the 
blockade  runners  which  infested  the  Pamlico  Sound  and  ran 
up  the  Neuse  River  to  Newberne.  Gen.  Butler  and  Commo 
dore  Stringham  had  reduced  the  forts  some  time  before,  and 
the  business  transacted  through  Hatteras  Inlet  by  the  rebels 
was  abandoned. 


THE  HATTERAS  EXPEDITION  41 

Our  first  night  on  this  bleak  island  was  dreary  indeed. 
The  coffee  we  cooked  for  supper  was  utterly  unfit  to  drink; 
the  water  was  brackish  and  salty,  and  we  were  obliged  to 
excavate  new  wells  on  the  following  day  to  procure  water 
which  could  be  used  for  cooking  and  drinking.  These  wells 
were  made  in  a  very  simple  manner,  and  speedily  excavated. 
Taking  a  headless  barrel  and  setting  it  on  the  sand,  scooping 
the  sand  from  the  inside  around  the  chine,  allowed  the  barrel 
to  settle,  and  by  pressing  on  the  upper  edge  of  the  barrel  it 
was  forced  downward.  Then,  if  sufficient  water  did  not  appear, 
another  barrel  was  placed  on  the  top  of  the  first  and  both 
forced  downward  until  a  sufficient  depth  was  attained,  and 
generally  a  good  quality  of  water  was  thus  procured.  In 
time,  the  water  became  brackish;  then  a  new  well  was  sunk. 

Extract  from  Miners'  Journal: 

FORT  CLARK,  HATTERAS  INLET,  N.  C.,  JANUARY  i,  1862. 
To  THE  CITIZENS  OF  SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY  : 

Company  "B"  of  the  48th  Regiment,  Penna.  Volunteers, 
being  the  recipients  of  a  handsome  flag,  furnished  them  by 
your  generosity,  set  apart  New  Year's  day  to  the  hoisting 
it  upon  Fort  Clark,  which  pleasing  ceremony  was  performed 
in  the  presence  of  Col.  Jas.  Nagle,  Major  Daniel  Nagle,  the 
Chaplain  of  the  Regiment,  and  the  members  of  Company 
"B"  amid  a  multitude  of  cheers  and  cries  of  "long  may  it 
wave."  After  the  flag  had  been  spread  to  the  breeze,  Col. 
Nagle  and  our  worthy  Captain  made  some  appropriate 
remarks,  which  were  attentively  listened  to,  after  which  the 
Chaplain  led  in  a  patriotic  prayer.  The  committee  on  reso 
lutions  then  withdrew  and  formulated  the  following 
resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted : 

RESOLVED,  That  we,  officers  and  men  of  Company  "  B,"  do  offer 
our  sincere  thanks  to  the  citizens  of  Schuylkill  County  for  their  extreme 
kindness  in  bestowing  upon  us  such  a  beautiful  emblem  of  our  country. 

RESOLVED,  That  the  members  of  Co.  "B"  in  gratitude  to  the 
donors,  do  hereby  repledge  their  word  of  honor,  that  they  will  ever  be 
true  to  the  Flag  of  Our  Country,  which  has  so  ruthlessly  been  trampled 
upon  by  rebellious  feet,  in  defence  of  which  they  will  shed  their  life- 
blood  if  necessarv. 


42  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

RESOLVED,  That  the  members  of  Company  "B"  will  make  this 
flag  the  special  object  of  their  pride  and  care,  so  long  as  it  shall  remain 
in  their  power. 

RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the 
Miners  Journalior  publication,  through  which  medium  our  friends  may 
be  made  acquainted  with  our  doings,  etc. 

SERG'T]NO.  GEO.  BOSSLER, 

WM.  H.  HUMES, 
Committee  on  Resolutions. 

Our  first  impressions  of  Hatteras  were  not  favorable. 
When  we  relieved  tne  2Oth  Indiana  Regiment,  which  had 
previously  occupied  the  post,  and  saw  their  deplorable  con 
dition,  heard  their  tales  of  woe  and  had  some  experience  with 
the  troops — of  bugs  and  things  they  left  to  our  care — we 
certainly  felt  despondent,  and  ''many  a  time  and  oft"  wondered 
"why  we  came  for  a  soldier."  But  we  learned  to  love  the 
old  place  in  time,  and  often  in  our  after  experience  we  wished 
we  were  back  with  old  Caleb  Stowe,  Captain  Ballans,  Baldy 
Austin,  Polly  Miller,  and  the  rest  of  them,  who  took  us  duck 
hunting  and  fishing,  and  baked  corn  pones  for  us. 

Rebel  tugboats  appeared  occasionally  in  the  Sound  and 
discharged  a  few  shots  at  the  forts,  but  no  damage  ever 
resulted  from  their  visits. 

A  detail  of  forty  men  was  made  from  the  regiment  to  go 
a  few  miles  up  the  island  to  erect  barracks,  and  by  the  I4th 
of  December  all  of  the  companies  were  comfortably  quartered 
in  wooden  buildings,  excepting  Company  B,  which  was  left 
at  the  inlet  to  garrison  the  forts,  Hatteras  and  Clark. 

''We  have  eighteen  kinds  of  food, 

Though  'twill  stagger  your  belief; 
We  have  bread,  beef  and  soup, 

And  bread,  soup  and  beef ; 
Then  we  separate  about, 

With  twenty  in  a  group, 
And  get  beef,  soup  and  bread, 

And  beef,  bread  and  soup; 
For  our  dessert  we  obtain, 

Though  it  costs  us  nary  red, 
Soup,  bread  and  beef. 

And  beef,  soup  and  bread." 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  43 

Correspondence  of  Miners'  Journal: 

CAMP  WINFIELD,  DEC.  u,  1861. 

EDITOR  Journal: — There  are  two  volunteer  regiments 
and  a  few  regular  troops  here,  in  the  Fort.  We  have  enough 
to  keep  our  enemies  at  bay.  They  show  themselves  some 
times,  but  don't  come  within  gun  shot,  and  a  few  shells  are 
enough  to  send  them  on  the  back  track.  Our  boys  are,  with 
a  very  few  exceptions,  enjoying  good  health,  and  progressing 
in  the  drill. 

The  weather,  since  our  arrival  here,  has  been  delightful ; 
we  have  had  but  two  showers  since  the  I2th  of  November. 
Some  nights  have  been  very  cold,  and  others  quite  summer 
like.  Drills  and  dress  parade  are  suspended  at  present, 
while  we  are  building  barracks  for  winter  quarters.  They 
will  be  fine  quarters  when  completed  for  soldiers  to  live  in. 
Each  company  will  have  its  own  house,  with  three  rows  of 
bunks.  We  are  also  building  a  fort,  which  will  be  called 
Fort  Williams.  We  are  hard  at  work  every  day,  fixing  up 
the  camp  around  the  fort,  some  are  shoveling  sand,  some 
carrying  boards,  some  doing  carpenter  work,  and  others 
rafting  lumber.  The  water  is  better  here  than  it  was  at 
Fort  Clark,  and  the  camp  is  very  much  more  pleasant. 

Yours  truly,  BENJ.  G.  OTTO. 

General  Thomas  Williams,  who  was  afterwards  killed 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  came  upon  the  scene  to  make  our  lives 
miserable,  as  we  believed,  by  inaugurating  five  drills  per  day. 
Later  we  thought  better  of  him  as  we  grew  older,  and  as  we 
learned  that  the  extra  drills  and  discipline  he  enforced  upon 
us  did  us  a  great  amount  of  good  when  we  were  called  upon 
to  assume  the  heavy  work  attending  the  life  we  had  chosen, 
many  were  the  expressions  of  sorrow  from  the  boys  of 
the  regiment  when  news  came  of  his  death. 

A  large  earthwork  had  been  erected  by  the  regiment  at 
this  camp — Winfield — and  it  was  a  very  formidable  looking 
structure.  We  never  had  any  occasion  to  use  it,  and  our 
idea  at  the  time  of  its  construction  was  that  it  was  done  to 
keep  us  employed. 


44  STORY  OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

OUR  ZOO-ZOO  NEIGHBORS 

General  Williams  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  a  stern 
disciplinarian,  and  well  qualified  to  make  excellent  soldiers 
out  of  the  ordinary  volunteers.  In  the  same  camp — Winfield 
— was  the  Qth  New  York  Regiment,  or  "Hawkins'  Zouaves/' 
recruited  largely  from  the  "rough  element"  of  New  York  City, 
men  brave  to  a  fault,  but  not  easily  disciplined.  A  constant 
antagonism  existed  between  them  and  the  General,  to  settle 
which,  it  kept  Colonel  Hawkins  busy.  Hand-barrows  were 
constructed  with  four  handles,  two  to  a  man,  upon  which 
sods  of  grass  were  carried  for  several  hundred  yards,  with 
which  the  sand-fort  was  faced.  This  was  hard  work;  and,  as 
the  huge  waves  came,  at  times,  sweeping  over  the  beach,  up  to 
and  around  the  fort,  washing  away  the  work  of  weeks,  and 
even  invading  the  drill  ground,  the  Zouaves  could  see  no  fun 
in  carrying  new  sods  to  repair  the  damage.  Their  refusal 
angered  General  Williams  and  he  threatened  to  have  some 
of  them  shot,  etc.  These  men,  therefore,  hated  him  and 
sought  in  every  way  to  annoy  him.  In  his  exercise  walks, 
stately  and  dignified,  outside  the  camp  proper,  followed  at 
measured  distance  by  his  equally  rigid  "Orderly,"  the  General, 
on  one  occasion,  plunged  headlong  into  a  hole  several  feet 
deep,  dug  in  the  loose  sand,  and  partly  filled  with  water,  the 
hole  having  been  neatly  covered  over  with  light  brush  and 
sand  to  hide  the  excavation.  He  heard  the  roar  of  con 
temptuous  laughter,  emanating  from  the  "Zoo-zoos"  hidden 
in  the  brush,  and  called  loudly  for  help  to  extricate  him  from 
the  quicksands  into  which  he  was  rapidly  sinking,  and  out 
of  which  his  Orderly  and  some  kindly  Zouaves  rescued  him, 
wet  and  undignified.  This  regiment  leaving  soon  after  to 
join  the  fleet  in  its  attack  upon  Roanoke  Island,  the  General 
felt  evidently  much  relieved. 

Other  incidents  of  camp  life  there  consisted  of  visits  to 
the  homes  of  the  native  fishermen,  where  a  good  meal  of 
corn-bread  and  fresh  fish  baked  in  the  old-fashioned  "Dutch 
oven,"  heated  by  hot  coals  of  charcoal,  might  be  had;  standing 
guard  along  the  ocean  front;  visiting  the  light-house;  gather 
ing  beautiful  ocean  shells,  washed  up  by  every  wave,  tons  of 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  45 

which  were  expressed  home,  many  of  which  may  now  adorn 
a  sewing  basket,  box  or  other  receptacle  in  the  home  of  some 
of  the  survivors  or  their  friends;  or  of  watching  from  the 
barrack  roof  for  the  S\  R.  Spaulding  bringing  the  mail,  and, 
upon  whose  first  appearance,  the  boys  would  hurry  to  write 
letters  to  be  carried  home  when  she  returned. 

Our  first  Christmas  in  the  army  was  spent  very  pleas 
antly,  and  by  some  of  the  boys,  joyously,  as  Sutler  Lipman 
had  some  "canned  oysters"  put  up  especially  for  the  Christmas 
season,  and  those  who  were  fond  of  that  particular  brand 
certainly  were  in  a  boisterous  mood. 

January  3ist,  1862.  Williams'  Brigade  at  Hatteras,  N. 
C. ;  Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  Williams,  nth  Conn.,  Lieut.  Col. 
C.  Mathewson.  6th  N.  H.,  Col.  Nelson  Cerwerse;  Sgth 
N.  Y.,  Col.  H.  S.  Fairchild.  48th  Pa.  Vols.,  Col.  Jas.  Nagle. 
ist  R.  I.  Artillery,  Battery  "F,"  Capt.  Jas.  Belger.  ist  U.  S. 
Artillery,  Battery  "C,"  Capt.  Lewis  O.  Morris. 

FUN    IN   CAMP 

While  we  were  busy  attending  to  the  daily  duties  incum 
bent  upon  us  as  soldiers,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  we 
failed  to  have  an  abundance  of  fun,  and  many  are  the  stories 
that  could  be  repeated  of  our  days  at  Hatteras.  In  a  crowd 
of  nearly  a  thousand  men  there  are  usually  a  good  many 
funny  fellows,  and  some  very  mischievous  ones.  I  will  tell 
you  a  little  story  of  one  of  them.  An  old,  retired  sea  captain 
named  Caleb  Stowe  (who  don't  recollect  old  deaf  Caleb  with 
his  hand  to  his  ear?)  was  in  the  habit  of  selling  whiskey  to  the 
soldiers  at  a  dollar  per  pint,  and  worked  pretty  hard  to  keep 
a  stock  on  hand.  John  Devine,  a  member  of  Company  F 
(whose  members,  by  the  way,  were  considered  good  judges 
of  any  deviltry,  and  generally  got  the  blame  for  not  only  what 
they  did  themselves,  but  also  for  what  was  done  by  everybody 
else),  who  was  very  fond  of  a  drop  of  liquor  and  was  always 
laying  plans  to  get  some,  paid  Captain  Stowe  a  visit,  and 
after  inviting  himself  to  dinner,  interested  Caleb  very  much 
by  stating  that  he  was  a  whiskey  merchant  on  a  small  scale, 
and  had  then  several  barrels  of  good  whiskey  hid  at  various 


46  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

places  on  the  island,  and  which  he  would  sell  at  twelve  dollars 
per  barrel.  The  old  captain  had  visions  of  pint  bottles  of 
whiskey  at  a  dollar  each  floating  before  his  eyes,  blinding  his 
usual  cautious  bargainings,  and,  in  a  moment  had  contracted 
for  the  delivery  of  one  barrel  that  very  night  at  the  head  of 
Ballan's  Creek.  Devine  struck  for  camp  immediately  upon 
leaving  Stowe  and  enlisted  the  services  of  some  of  the  leading 
spirits  of  his  company.  They  laid  their  plans  at  once  and 
proceeded  to  carry  them  into  execution.  They  procured  an 
empty  molasses  barrel  from  the  sutler,  rolled  it  to  the 
point  at  which  the  delivery  was  to  be  made,  rilled  it  with  water 
from  a  neighboring  swamp,  and  then  driving  the  bung  tight, 
buried  it  in  the  sand  close  to  the  head  of  the  creek,  and  im 
patiently  waited  for  "taps."  After  they  had  responded  to 
their  names  at  roll-call,  they  quietly  proceeded  to  the  place 
designated,  having  previously  bought,  at  the  sutler's,  a  can  of 
whiskey  labelled  "oysters."  A  gimlet,  a  spade  and  a  tin-cup 
were  also  procured.  Just  before  they  arrived  at  the  place 
where  the  barrel  was  concealed,  they  stationed  one  of  the 
comrades  in  the  bushes  with  full  instructions  how  to  act. 
About  ten  o'clock  a  boat  was  heard  coming  up  the  creek,  and 
in  a  few  moments  old  man  Stowe  and  his  son  George  stepped 
ashore  and  approached  the  boys  very  cautiously.  Devine 
now  took  the  spade  and  commenced  searching  for  the  barrel; 
he  pretended  not  to  know  exactly  where  he  had  put  it,  and 
the  whiskey  merchants  were  becoming  exceedingly  nervous 
when  he  suddenly  exclaimed,  "I  have  her!"  and  having  struck 
it  with  the  spade,  work  was  at  once  commenced  to  uncover  it. 
A  hole  was  made  at  one  end  of  the  barrel  sufficiently  large 
for  a  man  to  stand  in,  and  a  proposition  from  Stowe  to  sample 
it  was  seconded  by  Devine;  he  took  the  gimlet  and  tin-cup 
in  hand,  making  the  Stowes  believe  he  was  getting  the  whis 
key  from  the  barrel;  but  he  had  the  whiskey  can  ready  for 
use,  in  his  blouse  pocket,  and,  filling  the  tin-cup,  handed 
it  to  the  captain,  who,  after  sampling  it,  passed  it  to  George. 
They  were  satisfied  with  its  quality,  and  ordered  its  removal 
from  the  hole.  Devine  reminded  them  that  the  cash  must 
first  be  forthcoming;  this  was  quickly  done,  and  work  to  raise 


THE    HATTERAS    EXPEDITION  47 

it  was  renewed.  At  the  first  stroke  of  the  spade  upon  the 
barrel  a  noise  was  heard  as  of  the  approach  of  a  guard.  ''Right 
shoulder  shift;  file  right;  halt!  Who  goes  there?"  came 
from  the  bushes,  accompanied  by  a  noise  as  of  the  tread  of 
men,  made  by  the  comrade  left  in  reserve.  The  old  captain 
did  not  hear  it,  but  his  son  George  did;  and,  putting  his  mouth 
close  to  the  old  man's  best  ear,  shouted,  "Here  comes  the 
guard,"  and  the  wTay  they  ran  for  their  boat  eclipsed  our  time 
at  Bull  Run.  They  paddled  their  boat  down  the  creek,  and 
the  boys  struck  for  camp.  Some  time  during  the  night  the 
Stowes  returned  to  secure  the  barrel  of  whiskey;  and,  having 
rolled  it  out  of  the  hole,  sampled  it  again;  but,  alas!  it  was 
now  changed  to  water,  and  very  bad  water  at  that.  Their 
final  trip  home  must  have  been  a  very  sad  one,  brooding  over 
the  thought  of  being  tricked  by  Yankee  soldiers  and  losing 
twelve  dollars  beside.  The  next  morning,  as  soon  as  reveille 
was  over,  old  Caleb  wras  seen  around  camp  hunting  for  the 
man  who  had  so  sadly  deceived  him;  he  soon  espied  Devine 
coming  from  the  cook  house  with  his  cup  of  coffee,  looking 
as  innocent  as  a  lamb.  He  approached  him  and  putting  his 
hand  to  his  mouth  shouted:  ''I  want  my  money  back;  that 
whiskey  you  sold  me  last  night  ain't  whiskey;  it's  water." 
Devine  gave  him  a  look  that  almost  paralyzed  him  and 
shouted  back  to  "go  to'  the  devil,  you  old  robber;  sure  I 
niver  saw  ye  before  in  me  life." 

Guard  details  were  made  daily  for  picketing  the  line  above 
Winfield  at  Trent.  Our  picket  line  extended  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  to  Pamlico  Sound,  the  line  at  this  point  being  about 
a  half  mile  in  length.  The  enemy  were  then  occupying 
Roanoke  Island,  and  this  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  a 
surprise  from  that  quarter. 

In  January,  1862,  Gen.  A.  E.  Burnside  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Department  of  North  Carolina,  and  organized 
an  expedition  against  Roanoke  and  Newberne.  His  fleet 
rendezvoused  at  Hatteras  and,  while  making  harbor,  a  violent 
storm  took  place,  several  of  the  vessels  being  wrecked,  and 
many  lives  and  much  valuable  property  were  lost. 


48  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

BURNSIDE'S   EXPEDITION 

While  encamped  at  Camp  Winfield  on  Hatteras  Island, 
North  Carolina,  the  48th  and  other  troops  located  there,  on 
or  about  the  I2th  of  January,  1862,  were  surprised,  on 
answering  the  Reveille  Call,  to  see,  far  out  upon  the  broad 
Atlantic,  first  one  ship,  then  another  and  another,  until  the 
ocean  seemed  full  of  ships.  This  was  the  large  Burnside's 
fleet  containing,  all  told,  something  over  one  hundred 
vessels;  transports,  bearing  troops  for  the  Coast  Expedi 
tion  against  North  Carolina ;  gunboats  for  the  reduction  of 
the  rebel  forts  on  Roanoke  Island,  Newberne  and  other 
inland  towns,  and  provision  vessels  for  the  supply  of  the 
expedition.  The  coast  of  Hatteras  at  the  best  is  stormy, 
dangerous  and  treacherous,  even  in  fair  weather;  but,  when 
this  fleet  arrived,  the  ocean  was  unusually  stormy  and 
anchorage  was  difficult,  hence  the  individual  ships  were 
tossed  about  like  toys,  frequently  dragging  their  cables,  and. 
for  safety,  "running  before  the  gale."  With  what  interest, 
from  our  safety  on  shore,  did  we,  from  the  roof  of  the 
barracks,  watch  the  appearing  and  disappearing  vessels  and 
feel  for  the  safety  of  the  troops  we  knew  to  be  on  board. 
With  the  abatement  of  the  storm,  with  what  joy  and 
pleasure  did  we  watch  their  re-assembling  in  something  like 
naval  order.  At  night,  this  large  aggregation  of  ships,  lit 
"from  stem  to  stern"  with  vari-colored  lights,  resembled 
a  large  city  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean,  the  lights  dancing 
with  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  ships,  reminding  the 
beholder  of  so  many  "Jack-o-Lanterns"  or  "Will-o-the-Wisps." 
Between  the  Ocean  and  the  Pamlico  Sound  a  strong, 
shallow,  and  constantly  shifting  sand-bar  exists,  making  it 
difficult  and  exceedingly  dangerous  for  vessels  to  attempt 
to  enter  the  sound,  even  at  full  tide,  but  impossible  for  ships 
of  large  draft  at  low  tide. 

Many  of  the  vessels  grounded  on  the  bar  during  the 
attempt.  Thus,  this  beautiful  sight  lasted  for  nearly  a 
week,  gradually  diminishing  as  ship  after  ship  essayed  the 
passage.  At  last,  all  had  disappeared  and  the  48th  saw 


Major-General   A.   E.   Burnside 


THE  HATTERAS  EXPEDITION  51 

the  fleet  pass  up  the  sound  to  Roanoke  Island,  some  of  the 
regiments  that  had,  with  the  48th,  garrisoned  Hatteras, 
accompanying  the  expedition.  In  a  few  days,  the  roar  of 
the  heavy  guns  was  heard,  as  the  gunboats  bombarded  the 
rebel  forts,  and  soon  the  glad  news  reached  us  that 
"Roanoke  Island  was  captured."  The  48th  had  no  individual 
share  in  this  glory,  except  that  the  capture  was  effected  by 
troops  with  whom  our  future  lot  was  cast  for  four 
strenuous  years. 

When  Major  J.  K.  Sigfried  was  elected  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  regiment,  vice  David  Smith,  who  was  unable, 
on  account  of  his  health,  to  take  the  commission  of  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel,  Captain  Daniel  Nagle,  Lieutenant  Jas.  Ellis, 
Captain  Wren  and  several  other  captains,  junior  to  Captain 
Wren,  were  nominated.  After  the  first  ballot,  the  names  of 
all  the  candidates  were  stricken  off  the  list  with  the 
exception  of  two,  they  being  Captain  Nagle  and  Lieutenant 
Ellis. 

The  result  of  the  second  ballot  gave  Lieutenant  Ellis  10 
votes,  and  Captain  Daniel  Nagle,  of  Co.  "D,"  23  votes.  So 
he,  Captain  Nagle,  was  accordingly  declared  elected.  A 
motion  to  make  the  election  unanimous  was  defeated.  While 
at  Hatteras  Inlet,  Company  D,  48th  Regiment,  presented  a 
sword  to  Major  Daniel  Nagle.  It  was  inscribed: 

Presented  to 

MAJOR    DANIEL    NAGLE, 

By  the  members  of  Co.  D,  48th  Regiment,  Penn.  Vols.,  Hatteras  Inlet, 

N.  C.,  December  25th,  1861,  as  a  mark  of  their  esteem 

for  their  former  Commander. 

Upon  the  I5th  of  January  the  fleet  had  succeeded  in 
getting  over  the  "swash"  in  the  Sound,  and  it  took  its  depar 
ture  for  Roanoke.  A  few  days  later  we  heard  of  the  capture 
of  that  stronghold.  Surgeon  Minnis,  of  the  48th,  had  been 
detailed  to  accompany  the  expedition,  and  died  while  there 
from  over-exertion  in  attending  the  wounded  soldiers.  He 
was  an  efficient  officer,  courteous  and  affable,  and  well- 
beloved  by  all. 


52  STORY  OF  THK  FORTY-EIGHTH 

The  strong  picket  line  we  had  been  keeping  at  our  camp 
was  now  no  longer  necessary  and  was  withdrawn,  making  our 
guard  duties  somewhat  lighter  and  more  pleasant. 

THE  NEWBERNE  FIGHT 

(  )n  the  loth  of  March,  Companies  A,  11,  C,  D,  H  and  I 
were  ordered  to  accompany  the  I'urnside  expedition  in  an 
attempt  to  capture  Newherne,  at  the  junction  of  the  Neuse 
and  Trent  Rivers,  and  they  departed  on  the  steamer  Peabody, 
taking  part  in  the  reduction  of  that  stronghold.  Although 
they  did  not  fire  a  gun,  they  carried  the  ammunition  for  miles 
through  the  heavy  sand,  and  kept  the  troops  that  were  en 
gaged  supplied  with  cartridges.  Gen.  Burnside  was  so  pleased 
with  the  services  rendered  that  he  ordered  "Newberne"  to  be 
inscribed  on  the  regimental  colors.  Upon  the  departure  of 
the  six  companies  above  mentioned  the  four  remaining  com 
panies,  viz.,  E,  F,  G  and  K,  remained  upon  the  island,  under 
the  command  of  Major  Daniel  Nagle;  Companies  G  and  K 
in  Camp  Winfield;  while  Company  E,  Captain  Winlack,  garri 
soned  Fort  Clark;  and  Company  F,  Captain  Hoskings, 
garrisoned  Fort  TTatteras.  This  disposition  of  the  command 
continued  until  May  23rd,  when  it  embarked  for  Newberne  in 
the  steamer  Massasoit,  so  unseaworthv  that  she  was  almost 
in  a  sinking  condition  on  reaching  her  destination. 

(  ompaii)  I  brin-  among  lh»»M-  left  to  do  j^nard  and 
garrison  duty  on  llatteras  Island,  Austin  Farrow,  John  Law 
rence,  Evan  Thomas  and  the  writer  obtained  permission  from 
the  commanding  officer,  Captain  J.  II.  Hoskings,  for  a  day 
and  a  night's  absence  to  visit  Cape  Hatteras,  where  the  light 
house  was  located. 

A    MARITIME    ADVENTURE 

We  procured  a  "Kunner"  (canoe")  from  old  Captain  Ital 
ians  at  Winfield,  and  sailed  away  on  the  morning  of  May  19, 
1862,  as  merry  as  wealthier  people  do  in  their  steam  yachts. 
Our  route  was  up  the  Pamlico  Sound,  and  we  reached  the 
light  in  safety  and  were  warmly  welcomed  by  Billy  Neill  and 
his  estimable  wife  and  charming  daughter.  We  spent  a 


Major    Daniel     Nagle 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  55 

delightful  night  and  were  stowed  away  very  comfortably  at 
bed-time  and  "slept  the  sleep  of  the  just."  We  had  a  good 
breakfast  on  the  twentieth  and  bade  our  friends  a  tearful 
good-bye  and  set  sail  for  camp.  It  was  a  beautiful  morning; 
the. sun  was  in  all  its  splendor,  the  birds  were  singing  gleefully, 
and  everything  seemed  to  say  that  we  were  welcome  to  the 
best  that  there  was — "help  yourself  and  reach  for  more."  Our 
course  for  camp  lay  to  the  south,  but  the  wind  was  fresh  from 
that  quarter,  and  after  some  discussion  we  decided  to  sail 
northward  until  the  wind  would  shift,  which  our  sailing  master, 
Farrow  said  it  would  do  at  noon.  So,  like  Captain  Kidd,  "we 
sailed  and  we  sailed  and  we  sailed,"  until  night,  and  the  wind 
shifted  not,  and  we  anchored  for  night  at  a  village  called 
Chicamacomico,  fifty  miles  from  camp. 

We  secured  very  comfortable  quarters  with  one  of  the 
natives,  a  big,  jolly  sea-dog,  with  a  large  and  interesting 
family,  several  nice-looking  sociable  girls  being  in  the  group. 
The  next  day,  the  2ist,  the  wind  was  blowing  "great  guns," 
from  the  south,  and  the  old  man  cautioned  us  against  attempt 
ing  to  get  down  the  sound  in  that  "tub,"  as  he  called  our  boat, 
but  we  persisted  in  going,  -Farrow,  who  was  an  experienced 
sailor,  saying  that  he  could  navigate  us  safely  to  "port."  We 
kissed  our  hands  to  the  assembled  family  and  departed.  The 
sound  was  lumpy,  our  skipper  soon  showed  his  ill-temper,  the 
wind  blew,  the  spray  flew,  our  boat  behaved  very  unhand 
somely,  and  at  the  end  of  an  hour  we  were  wet  to  the  skin 
and  not  a  half  mile  down  the  coast.  We  tacked  and  tacked, 
but  we  didn't  "splice  the  main-brace,"  for  we  had  "no  brace," 
but  we  battled  with  wind  and  wave  for  the  whole  day  and 
reached  Kinnikeet,  another  village,  late  in  the  afternoon,  wet, 
tired  and  hungry,  can  you  imagine  how  hungry? 

We  anchored  and  secured  quarters  with  one  of  the  resi 
dents,  who  proved  a  capital  fellow.  He  gave  us  a  good 
supper,  and  then  we  went  to  bed  in  order  to  have  our  clothes 
dried.  The  old  chap  said  that  he  would  not  have  gone  through 
our  experience  for  all  the  money  old  Caleb  Stowe  was  trying 
to  get. 

The  storm  continued  all  the  next  day,  and  taking  the 


56  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

advice  of  the  old  mariner,  we  remained  all  that  day  and  night. 
On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-third,  we  started  toward  camp, 
reaching  Trent  just  at  noon,  anchored  there,  and  called 
on  a  lady  friend  who  provided  us  with  a  very  good  dinner. 
The  house  and  grounds  were  crowded  with  German  soldiers, 
and  I  asked  the  lady  what  it  all  meant.  She  replied,  "They 
belong  to  the  iO2d  New  York,  which  regiment  has  relieved 
the  48th  at  Fort  Hatteras."  We  shouted,  "Has  the  48th  left?" 
"Yes,"  said  she.  "Then  we  are  subjects  for  court-martial,"  we 
murmured  to  ourselves.  Madam  asked  if  we  were  the  four 
men  of  the  48th  who  were  drowned. 

It  transpired  that  someone  had  reported  an  empty  boat 
washed  ashore  up  the  sound  and  that  some  half  filled  whiskey 
bottles  and  some  soldier  coats,  which  were  identified  as  ours, 
had  been  found  in  the  boat.  To  the  ownership  of  the  coats 
we  might  have  plead  guilty,  but  the  whiskey  bottles,  never. 
However,  we  made  the  best  of  it,  ate  a  very  hearty  dinner, 
considering  the  heavy  load  that  was  on  our  minds,  and  sailed 
away  to  Winfield,  where  we  delivered  the  boat  to  Captain 
Ballans,  who  was  very  glad  to  get  it,  he  having  also  heard  the 
story  of  its  loss.  We  remained  at  Winfield  all  night,  and  the 
next  morning  went  to  Fort  Hatteras  and  reported  to  Lieut. 
Ellis,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  post. 

He  turned  us  over  to  Sergeant  Charles  Schnerr,  who  died 
some  time  ago  in  Philadelphia — poor  Charley;  he  was  a  good, 
kind  comrade.  He  provided  us  with  blankets  and  gave  us 
good  bunks  in  good  quarters,  and  plenty  to  eat.  He  gave 
us  paper  to  write  home,  and  took  the  letters  out  in  the  sound 
to  a  steamer  that  was  to  start  north  that  night.  These  letters 
reached  our  friends  in  time  to  contradict  the  rumors  that  had 
been  brought  to  them. 

We  remained  at  the  inlet  until  the  afternoon  of  the  28th, 
waiting  for  transportation.  The  steamboat  Hayes,  a  Govern 
ment  despatch  boat,  took  us  to  Newberne,  where  we  arrived 
on  the  29th,  having  been  absent  for  ten  days. 

Everyone  seemed  glad  to  see  us,  this  being  especially 
true  of  the  members  of  our  own  company.  The  officers  whom 
we  had  so  dreaded  to  meet  gave  us  a  welcome  hand,  and  the 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  57 

court-martial  which  we  had  feared  never  happened.  The  nice 
story  of  an  adventure  which  we  had  agreed  upon  and  rehearsed 
until  we  were  "dead-letter  perfect"  was  never  called  for. 

WRECK    OF   THE    "ORIENTAL" 

From  Miners'  Journal,  May  24th,  1862: 

"Lieutenant  Jas.  Ellis,  of  the  48th  P.  V.,  rendered  effi 
cient  service  last  week  in  the  case  of  a  wreck  of  a 
Government  vessel  near  Cape  Hatteras.  A  despatch  gives 
the  following  particulars:  The  Oriental,  in  which  Brigadier 
General  Saxton  sailed  for  Port  Royal,  S.  C,  was  wrecked 
on  Friday  night,  May  i6th,  on  Body's  Island,  thirty-three 
miles  north  of  Cape  Hatteras.  The  passengers  and  crew 
were  saved.  A  portion  of  the  cargo  was  lost.  The  remainder 
will  be  saved  on  the  beach.  Mr.  J.  A.  Fuller,  of  New  York, 
went  sixty-five  miles  in  a  canoe,  through  a  severe  storm 
across  the  sound  to  Fort  Hatteras  for  assistance,  which  by 
his  energy  he  obtained.  Lieutenant  Ellis,  acting  assistant 
quartermaster,  came  with  the  steamer  George  Peabody, 
and  Colonel  Hawkins,  Commander  of  Roanoke  Island,  came 
next  day  and  took  possession  of  the  Government  property 
and  placed  a  guard  over  it.  Lieutenant  Ellis  and  Colonel 
Hawkins  displayed  the  most  commendable  zeal  and  judg 
ment  in  preserving  the  Government  property,  and  generally 
promoting  the  comfort  of  the  ship-wrecked  passengers.  Both 
deserve  the  highest  praise.  Lieutenant  Ellis  is  from  this 
town,  and  is  a  young  man  who  will  make  his  mark  in  what 
ever  position  he  is  placed." 

Hatteras  now  became  quite  an  important  station.  With 
the  occupation  of  so  much  of  the  territory  of  North  Carolina 
the  "contrabands"  poured  in  in  great  numbers.  Some  were 
employed  among  the  shipping  and  others  were  sent  to  other 
points  to  work  on  fortifications.  Large  barracks  had  been 
erected  for  the  housing  of  the  colored  people,  and  they  were 
comfortable  and  happy.  On  May  23d  the  remaining  com 
panies,  E,  F,  G  and  K,  were  relieved  by  a  German  regiment 
from  New  York,  and  were  ordered  to  join  the  command  at 


58  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Newberne.  Shortly  after  their  arrival  the  Harper's  Fern- 
muskets  were  exchanged  for  Enfield  rifles.  A  large  water- 
condensing  plant  had  been  erected  here,  water  from  the  sound 
being  purified  for  the  use  of  the  troops  and  passing  vessels. 
A  member  of  the  regiment,  "Snapper"  Drake,  was  in 
charge  of  the  machinery  at  this  plant,  and,  on  the  departure 
of  the  regiment,  he  was  detailed  to  remain.  He  never  rejoined 
the  regiment,  but  married  one  of  the  "Hatteras  belles"  and 
"lived  happily  ever  afterward."  , 

CAPTAIN    NAGLE    RESIGNS 

When  in  consequence  of  ill  health,  Captain  Philip  Nagle, 
of  Company  G,  48th  Regiment,  P.  V.,  resigned  in  1862,  the 


Captain    Philip    Nagle 

members  of  his  company  presented  at  Newberne,  N.  C,  June- 
9th,  their  portraits,  numbering  ninety-one,  to  him,  handsomely 
framed. 

From  the  Newberne,  N.  C.,  Progress  of  the  24th  of  May, 
1862,  we  extract  the  following  account  of  the  presentation 
of  a  magnificent  sword,  sash  and  belt,  to  Captain  John  R. 
Porter : 


THE   HATTERAS   EXPEDITION  59 

Captain  John  R.  Porter,  Co.  "I,"  48th  P.  V.,  a  gentle 
man,  scholar,  and  a  soldier,  was  presented,  by  his  command, 
on  Thursday  morning  with  a  beautiful  sword,  sash  and  belt 
from  the  establishment  of  Tiffany  &  Co.,  N.  Y.,  costing  over 
one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars. 

The  sword  was  presented  in  behalf  of  the  company  by 
Sergeant  Francis  D.  Koch,  and  accepted  by  the  Captain  in  a 
few  well  chosen  remarks. 

Communication  to  Miners'  Journal,  June,  1862: 
"To  EDITOR  Miners'  Journal: 

"Charles  Arndt,  a  private  of  Co.  "D,"  48th  P.  V.,  is 
quite  an  illustration  of  what  is  being  done  by  some  of  the 
older  citizens  of  the  Union.  'Charley/  as  he  is  familiarly 
termed  by  the  boys,  is  sixty-seven  years  of  age,  and  is  quite 
an  active  man,  having  never  missed  a  day's  duty  while  in 
the  service.  He  says  he  can  stand  as  much  as  one-half  of 
the  young  men.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany,  but  has  resided 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  for  the  last  twenty-one  years. 
He  has  seen  service  in  the  German  army,  having  been  in  the 
cavalry  branch  of  the  service  for  seven  years.  He  has  been 
blessed  with  good  health  all  his  life,  never  needing  the 
advice  of  a  physician.  Mr.  Arndt  lives  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ashland,  Schuylkill  County,  and  says  he  has  warm  blood 
tingling  in  his  veins,  and  is  willing  to  sacrifice  his  all  for 
a  free  government  like  ours  and  to  do  his  very  utmost  to 
preserve  the  old  flag  that  has  been  trampled  upon  by  traitor 
ous  rebels.  He  is  a  fine  old  gentleman,  scholar  and  soldier, 
and  stands  high,  in  the  estimation  of  the  men  of  the  regiment. 

"Yours,  <M.' " 

The  Miners'  Journal  of  May  loth,  1862,  has  the  follow 
ing:  "The  members  of  Company  'H,'  of  the  48th  P.  V., 
have  procured  for  presentation  to  their  Captain,  Joseph  A. 
Gilmour,  a  sword  costing  one  hundred  dollars,  which  is  the 
handsomest,  for  the  price,  ever  seen.  The  blade  is  of  the 
finest  temper,  and  the  handle,  which  is  of  solid  silver  at 
the  grip,  is  artistically  chased.  The  scabbard  is  made  of 


60  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

shark's  skin,  ornamented  with  exquisite  taste.  It  bears 
three  figures  on  silver — an  eagle  holding  in  its  beak  the 
motto,  E  Pluribus  Unum,  a  figure  of  Liberty  and  one  of 
Justice — at  the  point  oak  leaves  wreathed  and  an  acorn,  and 
below  the  first  figure  the  following  inscription:  Presented 
to  Joseph  A.  Gilmour  by  the  members  of  Company  'H/  48th 
P.  V.,  1862. 

On  Wednesday  last  it  was  despatched  to  the  company, 
which  by  this  time  has  probably  been  received  and  presented 
to  their  Captain.  We  speak  from  personal  knowledge  of 
Captain  Gilmour,  as  a  soldier  and  a  man,  when  we  say  that 
he  well  merits  this  handsome  testimonial  from  his  com 
panions  in  arms,  and  we  are  glad  to  see  him  so  highly 
appreciated." 

On  June  2nd,  1862,  Major  Daniel  Nagle  was  presented 
with  a  beautiful  sword,  sash  and  belt  by  the  members  of 
Co.  "D,"  which  company  the  Major  had  recruited  and  com 
manded  prior  to  his  promotion  to  Major. 

RUMORED   CAPTURE   OF    RICHMOND 

During  the  stay  in  Newberne  nothing  of  importance 
happened,  other  than  ordinary  camp  duty  and  daily 
drills,  until  June  3Oth,  when  orders  were  received  to 
reinforce  Gen.  McClellan's  army  before  Richmond.  Knap 
sacks  and  baggage  were  stowed  upon  schooners,  and  the 
troops  of  our  command  on  the  steamer  Cossack,  which,  with 
the  schooner  in  tow,  steamed  to  Hatteras,  arriving  on  the 
evening  of  the  3d  of  July.  Here  the  despatch  boat  Alice 
Price,  from  Newberne,  overtook  us  with  despatches  ordering 
our  commander  to  return  to  that  place,  "as  McClellan  had 
taken  Richmond."  We  accordingly  returned  to  Newberne, 
reached  our  old  camp,  brought  up  our  tents  and  knapsacks 
and  made  ourselves  comfortable  once  more.  Upon  the  even 
ing  of  July  5th  we  again  received  orders  to  strike  tents  and 
embark  for  the  James  River,  as  Richmond  was  not  taken. 


RETURN   TO    VIRGINIA— POPE'S    CAMPAIGN  61 


CHAPTER  IV. 
Return  to   Virginia — Pope's   Campaign 

HEADQUARTERS  DEP'T  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

JULY  3,  1862. 
HON.  E.  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War. 

SIR  :  I  embarked  7,000  infantry  and  was  on  my  way  to 
join  Gen.  McClellan  at  your  suggestion,  when  I  met  a 
messenger  informing  me  of  the  successes  of  our  army  before 
Richmond,  which,  if  true,  rendered  it  unnecessary  for  me 
to  join  him.  I  accordingly  brought  my  fleet  to  an  anchor, 
and  have  sent  a  steamer  through  to  Norfolk  to  ascertain  the 
exact  state  of  affairs,  and  shall  hold  myself  in  readiness  to 
move  in  any  direction.  A  E  BURNSIDE,  Major  General. 

In  answer  to  which  Secretary  Stanton  telegraphed, 
"Richmond  is  not  taken,  and  Burnside  is  to  move  with  all  the 
infantry  force  he  can  spare  to  reinforce  General  McClellan." 

BRIGADE   CHANGES 

We  again  left  for  Newport  News  at  the  mouth  of  the 
James  River,  reaching  there  on  the  gfh.  A  change  was  made 
in  the  organization  of  the  brigade  at  Newport  News  whereby 
the  6th  New  Hampshire  was  added  to  it,  the  Qth  New  Jersey 
and  the  iO3d  New  York  being  transferred  to  other  commands. 
Captain  Kaufman,  of  Company  A,  was  ordered  on  duty  as 
major  on  the  28th  by  General  Burnside,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  Major  Daniel  Nagle.*  In 

*Major  Nagle  tendered  his  resignation  very  reluctantly,  but  was 
called  home,  due  to  the  illness  of  his  wife  and  a  son,  another  son  having 
died.  He  was  unable  to  get  a  leave  of  absence  to  go  home  to  comfort 
his  family  or  to  attend  the  funeral,  so  was  obliged  to  resign  in  order  to 
save  his  wife's  life. 

Major  Nagle  afterward  served  as  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  iQth 
Pennsylvania  ("emergency")  Regiment,  and  later  as  colonel  of  the  I73d 
Pennsylvania,  a  nine  months'  regiment. 

He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican  War,  having  been  a  member  of 
Company  B,  ist  Pennsylvania  Regiment. 


62  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

the  meantime  McClellan  had  succeeded  in  extricating  his 
army  from  the  Peninsula,  and  we  were  ordered  into  camp  at 
this  point.  Pope's  army  operating  along  the  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad,  in  order  to  attract  attention  from 
McClellan,  was  now  being  pressed  very  hard,  and  was 
anxious  for  reinforcements,  so  our  corps  was  ordered  to  his 
relief.  We  left  Camp  Lincoln,  Newport  News,  on  the  2d 
of  August,  upon  steamers  for  Fredericksburg.  On  the 
way,  a  member  of  Company  D  committed  suicide  by  shoot 
ing  himself.  We  landed  at  Aquia  Creek,  on  the  Potomac 
River,  and  took  freight  cars  for  Falmouth,  opposite  Freder 
icksburg,  on  the  Rappahannock  River,  Virginia,  and  went 
into  camp.  On  the  evening  of  the  I2th  we  started  on  the 
march  over  very  muddy  roads.  We  were  in  light  marching 
order,  having  left  our  tents  at  Aquia  Creek  for  storage. 
Arriving  at  Bealton  Station  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad,  we  again  left  on  freight  cars  for  Culpeper  Court 
House,  and  arrived  just  in  time  to  miss  the  hard-fought  battle 
of  Cedar  Mountain,  which  resulted  so  disastrously  to  the 
Federals,  under  General  Banks.  The  evacuation  of  the  Penin 
sula  now  became  necessary  in  order  to  save  the  army  of 
General  Pope,  which  was  being  embarrassed  by  the  rapid 
movements  of  Stonewall  Jackson  and  Robert  E.  Lee;  and 
General  Halleck,  therefore,  ordered  the  withdrawal  of 
McClellan's  forces. 

THE  NINTH  CORPS  TO  THE  RESCUE 

The  timely  arrival  of  Burnside  with  the  Ninth  Corps, 
which  had  just  been  organized,  and  of  which  the  48th  was  a 
part,  doubtless  did  much  to  save  the  left  of  Pope's  army  from 
being  turned  and  entirely  separated  from  its  base  of  supplies. 
About  this  time  Gen.  John  Pope  issued  his  celebrated  order 
to  the  troops  "to  subsist  on  the  country,"  and  the  troops  took 
great  liberties  with  it.  But,  oh,  the  turkeys,  chickens,  geese, 
sheep,  pigs,  calves,  potatoes  and  cabbage.  Didn't  the  troops 
make  them  disappear?  and  then  live  on  the  "top  o'  the 
heap."  Some  would  think  it  strange  that  members  of  a 
regiment  would  be  in  favor  of  foraging,  but  we  were  none  of 


RETURN   TO    VIRGINIA— POPE'S    CAMPAIGN  63 

those  whose  tender  consciences  (or  tender  sympathies  for 
rebels)  make  them  think  it  wrong  to  live  off  the  enemy. 
The  soldiers  thought  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  to  the 
Government,  it  was  proper  to  take  from  the  enemy  every 
thing  that  was  of  use  to  us,  as  well  as  everything  they  could 
use  against  us.  The  nights  were  very  cold,  and  the  tents 
we  had  left  behind  at  Fredericksburg  were  greatly  missed. 

Upon  the  i8th  of  August  all  of  the  bands  were  discharged 
by  general  order  from  the  War  Department.  We  were  all 
very  sorry  to  part  company  with  our  own  excellent  band  and 
missed  it  sadly.  Upon  the  same  night,  whilst  our  camp  fires 
were  brightly  burning,  we  received  orders  to  quietly  leave 
our  camps.  It  was  understood  that  our  position  was  becom 
ing  dangerous.  We  marched  all  night,  and  the  next  day, 
the  iQth,  passing  through  Stevensburg,  stopping  only  a  few 
minutes  for  dinner,  crossed  the  Rappahannock  River  at 
Kelly's  Ford,  and  camped  on  its  banks  at  a  place  called 
Whitleyville.  During  this  night-march,  at  one  time,  we  passed 
between  the  rebel  outposts  and  their  main  column,  halted, 
secured  our  accoutrements  so  as  to  prevent  our  making  noise, 
loaded  our  guns,  and  passed  on  in  silence.  A  large 
wheat  field  was  occupied  by  the  regiment;  it  contained 
a  plentiful  supply  of  stacked  wheat,  and  we  soon  had  excellent 
houses  built  and  comfortable  beds  made  of  this  material. 
Here,  quite  a  spirited  skirmish  took  place.  A  portion  of  the 
regiment  re-crossed  the  river  in  support  of  the  cavalry,  but 
nothing  serious  occurred,  and  the  troops  were  recalled  in 
the  evening.  On  the  morning  of  the  2Oth,  the  artillery  attached 
to  the  brigade  shelled  the  woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  and  the  troops  kept  in  line  of  battle  all  day.  That  night 
we  also  spent  in  line,  lying  on  our  arms,  and  started  out,  next 
morning,  the  2ist,  on  the  march  without  breakfast,  continuing1 
to  Rappahannock  Station,  where  we  had  breakfast  and  dinner 
together,  and  lay  in  support  of  the  artillery,  during  which  time 
it  rained  very  hard.  It  continued  to  do  so  all  night.  The  next 
morning,  the  22nd,  we  were  early  on  the  march,  and  continued 
on  all  day  and  late  into  the  night  through  roads  ankle  deep 
with  mud.  Much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  getting  the 


64  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

artillery  and  wagon-trains  through  the  mud,  the  troops  being 
frequently  compelled  to  assist  in  moving  them  during  the 
night,  huge  fires  being  maintained  in  the  worst  places  to  give 
light  for  the  moving  trains.  We  were  halted  twice  to  cook 
rations;  the  first  time  we  had  nothing  to  cook  and  the  second 
time  we  did  not  have  time  to  cook  the  chickens  we  had  "bor 
rowed"  on  the  route.  At  White  Sulphur  Springs  the  rebel 
batteries  opened  on  us  from  the  hills  across  the  river,  and 
shelled  us  quite  briskly,  making  it  interesting  and  uncom 
fortable  for  us,  until  Durell's  Battery,  of  our  division,  got 
"into  battery"  and  exchanged  compliments  with  them.  They 
soon  limbered  to  the  rear  and  left  us  unmolested.  Here, 
however,  Lee  and  Jackson  succeeded  in  getting  across  the 
Rappahannock  River,  and  moved  towards  Bull  Run.  Our 
route  now  lay  through  Warrenton  and  Manassas  Junction  to 
Bull  Run. 


SECOND  BULL  RUN  65 


CHAPTER  V. 
Second  Bull  Run 

At  Manassas  Junction,  we  arrived  just  as  the  ''Johnnies" 
had  left,  as  the  cars  they  had  fired  were  burning  briskly,  and 
every  evidence  was  seen  of  their  hasty  retreat.  Every  soldier 
of  the  corps  thought  Jackson  and  his  "ragmufrms"  were  cer 
tainly  in  a  tight  place  and  sure  to  be  captured.  The  sequel 
proved  different.  While  on  the  way  from  Manassas  Junction 
to  participate  in  the  second  Bull  Run  fight,  we  met  General 
Philip  Kearney  mounted  on  his  favorite  horse,  waving  his 
sword,  and,  with  the  bridle  reins  in  his  teeth,  encouraging! 
some  straggling  troops  to  get  into  line.  His  efforts  were 
partially  successful,  and  he  led  them  towards  the  enemy's 
lines.  We  passed  on  to  a  piece  of  elevated  ground,  and  then 
received  orders  to  unsling  knapsacks,  which  we  never  saw 
again,  as  the  enemy,  soon  after,  occupied  that  portion  of  the 
field,  and  then  passed  through  the  lines  of  a  battery  that  was 
engaged  in  shelling  the  woods  in  our  front.  As  we  passed 
through  and  beyond  this  artillery  line,  the  shells  from  the  guns 
were  whistling  over  our  heads,  causing  us  to  "juke"  for  fear 
of  being  struck  by  the  shells. 

AN  INCIDENT  OF  BATTLE 

When  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  taken 
position  on  our  left  rear,  and  we  had  been  ordered  to  move  off 
to  our  right  rear  to  avoid  being  entirely  surrounded,  a  portion 
of  our  men,  becoming  bewildered  in  the  woods,  bore  off  to 
wards  the  left,  many  of  them  thus  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
rebels,  while  others,  to  avoid  capture,  personally  contended 
with  the  Johnnies.  Among  this  latter  party,  was  Captain  Joseph 
H.  Hoskings,  of  Co.  F.  Comrade  Wells  of  this  company 
thus  describes  a  personal  encounter  between  the  Captain  and 
Rebel  Major: — "While  running  to  the  rear,  I  saw  Captain 
Hoskings  and  a  Rebel  Major  run  into  each  other,  both,  sword 


G6  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

in  hand;  the  rebel's  in  his  left,  he  being  left-handed,  the  cap 
tain's  in  his  right  hand. 

"Near  me,  running  too,  was  young  Dreibelbies  of  Co.  H. 
I  think.  Both  of  us  stood  fixed  to  the  spot,  though  the  woods 
echoed  and  re-echoed  with  the  whistle  of  passing  bullets, 
watching  the  sword  duel  then  passing  between  the  two  officers. 
With  tense  earnestness  we  watched  the  play  of  swords,  as, 
with  rapid  parry  and  thrust  each  tried  to  disarm  the  other. 
The  contest  \vas  short,  sharp  and  determined,  and  ended  by 
the  Captain  throwing  himself  forward  upon  the  rebel  officer 
with  such  force  that  his  antagonist's  sword  flew  from  his  hand 
over  the  head  of  the  Captain.  The  Major  immediately 
reached  for  and  had  his  revolver  in  his  hand,  and  it  seemed  to 
to  be  all  up  with  the  Captain,  when  my  comrade  to  the  right 
who  had  evidently  been  waiting  his  opportunity,  fired,  and 
down  went  the  rebel,  his  blood  spurting  in  the  Captain's  face 
and  breast.  This  was  a  lucky  shot,  as  there  was  great  danger 
of  shooting  the  Captain  instead  of  the  rebel. 

"By  this  time,  things  were  getting  pretty  warm  in  our 
neighborhood,  and  we  resumed  our  running  to  the  edge  of  the 
woods  where  we  sought  our  regiment,  feeling  only  too  glad  to 
have  escaped  capture.  The  rebel  line  appeared  at  that  time 
to  be  only  a  strong  skirmishing  body,  otherwise  we  could  not 
have  extricated  our  column  from  this  death-trap." 

Our  regimental  officers  were  mounted  as  we  started  in, 
but  left  their  horses  as  we  crossed  the  fence,  in  charge  of 
the  servants,  and  after  the  engagement  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  horses  had  been  captured.  On  the  2Qth  of 
August  at  about  3  p.  m.,  the  48th  was  formed,  with 
the  6th  New  Hampshire  and  the  2nd  Maryland,  in  line 
of  battle,  marched  through  an  open  field  into  the  woods, 
and  through  a  very  heavy  infantry  fire.  We  gained  an  old 
abandoned  railroad  cut,  and  were  busily  engaged  in  our  front 
with  the  enemy,  when  heavy  firing  took  place  on  our  left  and 
rear.  At  first  it  was  thought  that  it  came  from  some  of  our 
own  troops;  but,  upon  displaying  the  colors  more  conspicu 
ously,  the  firing  became  hotter  and  hotter,  and  orders  to  fall 
back  were  given,  Lieutenant  De  Kay,  of  the  Division  Staff, 


SECOND  BULL  RUN  67 

having  informed  us  that  we  were  partially  surrounded. 
At  first  the  line  moved  slowly  and  in  perfect  order, 
but  it  soon  became  evident  the  brigade  was  flanked. 
The  men  began  dropping  in  the  ranks,  dead  or  wounded,  the 
rebels  appeared  and  the  line  broke  and  fled  in  confusion  to 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  where  it  was  again  formed.  By  the 
time  the  regiment  was  re-formed  it  was  dark,  and  the 
field  comparatively  quiet.  The  loss  of  the  regiment,  for  the 
day,  was  one  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
Woodbury,  in  "Burnside  and  the  Ninth  Corps,"  says:  "The 
first  brigade  of  Reno's  own  division,  composed  of  the  48th 
Pennsylvania,  6th  New  Hampshire  and  2nd  Maryland  was 
conspicuous,  on  this  day,  for  the  persistence  with  which  it 
held  its  ground  whe'n  assailed,  and  the  gallantry  with  which 
it  advanced  to  the  attack."  We  afterwards  learned  that  two 
brigades,  including  General  Sigel's  "Jackass"  or  Mule  Battery, 
had  previously  been  driven  out  of  the  same  woods  on  that  day. 
In  this  battery,  the  method  was  to  strap  tightly,  on  the  backs 
of  some  of  the  mules,  small  cannon,  which  were  fired  from  that 
position,  while  other  mules  carried  ammunition  in  boxes, 
strapped  on  in  a  similar  manner.  These  batteries  were  used 
for  the  purpose  of  clearing  the  enemy  out  of  woods  where 
the  regular  field  artillery  could  not  operate. 

Next  day,  the  3Oth,  the  engagement  was  renewed  early  in 
the  morning.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  left  of  yester 
day's  position  and  remained  all  day,  not  being  actually 
engaged,  although  under  fire  all  the  time.  This  was  the 
crucial  point  and  period  of  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
The  48th,  during  the  formation  of  the  lines  of  battle,  prelimi 
nary  to  the  final  assault  of  the  enemy  upon  the  Union  lines, 
lay  flat  upon  their  faces  in  front  of  a  battery,  supporting  it 
in  case  of  a  charge  upon  the  guns.  This  exposed  position 
was  a  very  trying  one,  as  the  men  were  exposed  to  the  shelling 
of  the  battery  by  the  enemy  and  in  danger  of  "rotten  shell" 
from  our  own  guns.  In  front  of  the  Union  position,  beyond 
a  large  open  field,  the  infantry  of  the  rebels  were  forming 
under  the  cover  of  dense  woods,  which  completely  hid  them 
from  view.  Suspecting  this  operation,  our  batteries  opened 


C8  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

upon  them;  while  our  troops  were  forming  in  the  open  plain 
to  "resist  the  assault  all  knew  to  be  at  hand.  The  rebels  having 
formed,  and,  seeing  the  Union  formation  in  a  somewhat 
chaotic  condition,  now  emerged  from  their  cover,  and  the 
last  act  in  that  celebrated  battle  was  on.  During  the  afternoon 
the  engagement  was  terrific,  charge  and  counter-charge, 
until,  towards  evening,  the  lines  were  broken  and  the  victory 
won  by  the  rebels.  Our  brigade  was  ordered  into  a  dense 
woods  at  this  time,  to  relieve  the  second  brigade,  which  had 
lost  heavily,  and  remained  there  until  9  p.  m.,  when  we  left 
the  field  in  good  order,  forded  the  Bull  Run  and  reached 
Centreville  on  the  morning  of  the  3ist  in  a  heavy  rain-storm. 
On  the  way  to  Centreville  we  passed  through  the  division  of 
General  Fitz  John  Porter,  which  should  have  been  upon  the 
field  during  the  fight.  Up  to  this  time  we  had  had  sixteen 
successive  days  of  hard  campaigning  on  short  rations,  with 
out  tents,  and  had  been  living  in  the  open  since  leaving- 
Falmouth  on  the  I2th  of  August.  We  were  a  pretty  hard 
looking  lot  of  soldiers.  At  Centreville  we  exchanged  places 
on  the  picket  line  with  the  p6th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
another  Schuylkill  County  organization. 

Letter  to  Colonel  Nagle  (complimentary:) 

HEADQUARTERS,  3RD  MICHIGAN  VOLS. 
COL.  COMMANDING  48th  PA.  VOLS.: 

I  have  the  honor  to  make  favorable  mention  of  two 
officers  of  your  command,  Captain  Jos.  A.  Gilmour,  of  Co. 
"H,"  and  Lieutenant  Wm.  Cullen,  of  Co.  "E." 

These  two  officers  rallied  fighters  until  they  had  quite 
a  company  of  them  and  united  with  my  regiment,  forming 
on  the  left  flank  thereof,  entered  into  the  battle  on  Friday 
afternoon,  August  the  29th,  and  remained  until  the  men 
gathered  by  them,  and  most  of  my  own  regiment  had  been 
killed  or  wounded  (we  having  140  killed  and  wounded  out  of 
260  muskets  engaged.) 

Their  conduct  was  brave  and  highly  commendable,  and 
they  were  of  much  service. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

S.  G.  CHAMPLAIN,  COL.  3RD  MICH.  VOLS. 


SECOND  BULL  RUN  69 

After  the  retirement  from  before  Richmond,  in  July,  1862, 
of  the  army  under  General  McClellan,  the  rebels  became 
emboldened  by  their  successes,  and  resolved  to  attempt  a 
transfer  of  the  war  from  the  soil  of  the  slave  to  that  of  the 
free  States.  Everything  seemed  favorable  for  the  attempt, 
as  the  United  States  Government  was  organizing  its  new 
levies,  and  our  armies  were  separated.  While  the  Army  of 
the  Peninsula  was  being  transferred  to  Alexandria,  the  rebels 
made  a  flank  movement,  in  the  hope  of  cutting  off  General 
Pope  from  his  base;  defeating  him;  capturing  Washington, 
and  invading  Pennsylvania.  Through  the  bravery  of  the 
forces  under  Pope  part  of  the  plan  failed,  after  a  number  of 
sanguinary  battles  in  the  vicinity  of  Bull  Run,  in  which  the 
48th,  5Oth,  and  other  Pennsylvania  Regiments,  participated. 

Of  the  conduct  of  the  48th  Regiment  in  these  contests, 
Henry  Pleasants,  Captain  of  Company  C,  wrote  as  follows: 

CAMP  NEAR  ALEXANDRIA,  September  4,  1862. 
After  leaving  the  left  of  Pope's  army,  before  the  Rapidan,  which 
position  our  Division  (Reno's)  occupied,  we  marched  to  Kelly's  ford, 
across  the  Rappahannock.  From  this  point  we  went  to  Rappahannock 
Station,  thence  along  the  northern  side  of  the  river  to  Sulphur  Springs ; 
thence  to  Warrenton  and  on  to  Warrenton  Junction,  where  we  rested 
for  three-quarters  of  a  day.  From  here  we  marched  to  Manassas 
Junction,  and  on  to  near  Centreville,  wheie  we  turned  to  the  left  and 
moved  towards  the  Gap  which  leads  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  This 
was  on  Friday  morning.  The  action  had  already  begun.  We  reached  the 
battle-field  at  I  P.  M.,  and  at  3  our  Brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Nagle,  was  ordered  to  attack  the  rebels  in  a  thick  woods.  The  6th 
New  Hampshire  Regiment  formed  on  the  left,  the  2nd  Maryland  on 
the  right  and  the  48th  Pennsylvania  fifty  paces  in  their  rear.  Hardly 
had  the  column  entered  the  woods  when  the  action  began — brisk,  fiery 
and  bloody.  Our  regiment  was  marching  on  with  the  steadiness  of 
regulars,  when  the  battalions  in  front  obliquing  to  the  left  and  right, 
permitted  us  to  advance  quickly  and  occupy  the  intervening  space, 
promptly  opening  a  destructive  fire  on  the  rebels.  We  advanced  firing 
for  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  when  Lieut.  Col.  Sigfried  halted  the  regi 
ment,  and,  after  causing  them  to  cease  firing,  ordered  them  to  advance 
with  the  bayonet,  which  was  done  in  gallant  style — driving  the  enemy  out 
Df  two  ditches,  (one  of  them  an  old  railroad  cut,)  and  going  on  beyond 
them.  We  had,  however,  not  gone  far  before  we  received  a  volley  of 
musketry  from  behind.  Thinking  that  we  were  fired  on  by  some  of 
our  own  troops,  the  regiment  was  ordered  back  to  the  nearest  ditch, 


70  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

and  our  fire  to  the  front  resumed.  From  this  time  the  fire  poured  on 
our  and  the  New  Hampshire  regiment,  was  most  terrific— from  the 
front,  left  and  rear.  The  more  our  colors  were  raised  and  spread  out 
to  the  view  of  our  supposed  friends  behind',  the  hotter  and  bloodier 
were  their  discharges.  At  last  the  rebel  iegiments  made  their  appear 
ance  on  our  rear,  when  Colonel  Sigfried  gave  the  order  to  retreat  by 
the  rightflank.  The  men  stood  this  terrible  fire  without  flinching, 
obeying  the  orders  of  their  officers,  and  firing  to  the  front  where  the 
enemy  was  supposed  only  to  be.  The  regiments  of  the  brigade  were 
promptly  reformed  after  leaving  the  woods,  and  soon  after  were 
relieved  by  the  2nd  Brigade.  The  next  day,  Saturday,  we  were  present 
at  the  battle,  supporting  batteries,  and  being  continuously  under  artillery 
fire  from  about  3  to  9  P.  M.  Our  division  was  the  last  to  leave  the 
battlefield,  which  it  did  about  ten  o'clock  that  night.  Next  day,  although 
without  hardly  any  sleep,  rest  or  food,  we  were  drawn  up  in  line  o? 
battle  until  night-time.  On  Monday,  about  I  P.  M.,  our  division  again 
marched  from  Centreville  to  Fairfax,  protecting  the  train.  When  about 
three  or  four  miles  from  where  we  started  we  met  the  rebels,  in  force, 
posted  in  the  woods  and  corn-fields,  and  after  fighting  till  dark,  and 
being  re-inforced  by  General  Kearney,  we  gained  a  complete  victory, 
driving  them  for  nearly  a  mile.  Our  regiment  was  under  fire  nearly  the 
whole  time,  but  supporting  other  troops  in  front,  we  could  not  return 
it.  The  loss  of  Saturday  and  Monday  was  very  light,  but  that  of 
Friday  was  terrible.  The  forest  was  converted  into  a  slaughter-house. 
Some  companies  of  the  6th  New  Hampshire  were  nearly  exterminated. 
Some  of  ours  lost  about  one-half  their  men.  The  regiment  lost  152 
men.  The  brigade,  out  of  about  2,000,  lost  over  500. 

Captain  Bosbyshell,   of  the   same   regiment,   aleo  wrote 
a  letter  as  follows: 

CAMP    48m    REGIMENT,    P.    V., 
NEAR  ALEXANDRIA,  VA.,  Sept.  3,  1862. 

A  spare  moment  I  devote  to  Diving  you  a  short  account  of  the 
doings  of  the  48th  in  the  late  battles  near  Bull  Run.  I'll  not  particu 
larize  about  our  long  and  tiresome  march  from  Fredericksburg  to 
Culpeper,  etc.,  but  suffice  it  to  say,  that  we  arrived  on  the  Bull  Run 
battlefield  last  Friday  morning.  Preparations  were  being  made  on  every 
side  for  a  fight,  and  we  expected,  of  course,  to  have  a  hand  in  it.  We 
were  not  disappointed.  Three  o'clock,  Friday  afternoon,  Nagle's 
Brigade  drew  up  in  line  of  battle — the  2nd  Maryland  on  the  right,  next 
the  6th  New  Hampshire,  and  the  48th  covering  the  latter  regiment.  Off 
we  moved,  over  a  clear  field,  to  quite  a  dense  wood,  out  of  which  we 
were  to  drive  the  rebels.  The  wood  was  skirted  by  a  fence,  which 
we  had  scarcely  crossed — in  fact,  our  regiment  was  just  getting  over 
it — when  bang !  bang !  whiz  !  whiz  !  and  the  battle  commenced.  There 


SECOND    BULL   RUN 


71 


was  no  use  talking,  however.  Our  brigade  went  right  in ;  walked 
steadily  on,  driving  the  rebels  quickly  before  them,  but  losing  men  fast. 
A  ditch  or  embankment,  in  which  the  rebels  had  shielded  themselves, 
and  from  out  of  which  the  brigade  which  entered  the  woods  before  ours 
failed  to  drive  them,  our  brigade  assailed  so  fiercely,  that  it  was  soon 
cleared.  The  48th  had  bayonets  fixed.  Some  of  the  prisoners  wanted 
to  know  who  they  were  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  what  troops  we  were. 
When  informed,  they  said  they  thought  we  must  belong  to  "Burnside's 
fighting  devils." 


John    D.   Bertolette 
Adjutant,  48th    Reg't.,   Pa.   Vols. 

The  impetuosity  of  our  men  was  great,  and  I  believe  we  would 
have  gone  clear  through  the  woods,  without  once  halting,  had  not  a 
strong  flank  movement  been  made  by  the  rebels.  They  came  around 
on  our  left,  and  opened  a  galling  fire  on  our  left  flank  and  rear,  which 
v.*e  did  not  return  for  some  time,  mistaking  them  for  our  own.  When 
we  discovered  it,  howrever,  we  answered  lively,  but  they  \vere  too 
strong  for  us,  with  their  raking  cross-fire,  and  a  retreat  by  the  right 
fiank  was  ordered.  This  we  did  in  good  order,  returning  fire  for  fire, 
and  wre  got  out  in  the  clearing  again,  where  the  '"rebs"'  dared  not 
follow  us : 

It  is  difficult  to  note  all  the  incidents  of  personal  bravery.  Colonel 
Nagle  was  everywhere,  cheering  on  the  men,  and  barely  escaped  cap 
ture.  He  was  ordered  to  halt  by  the  rebels  several  times,  pursued  and 
fired  at,  but  escaped.  Lieutenant  John  D.  Bertolette,  his  Acting  Assistant 


72  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Adjutant-General,  our  late  Adjutant,  was  wounded  in  the  thigh,  while 
ably  attending  to  his  duties.  His  aids,  Lieutenants  Blake  and  Hinkle, 
were  actively  engaged  throughout  the  entire  fight.  Upon  entering  the 
woods,  Colonel  Nagle  and  his  staff  left  their  horses  at  the  fence,  the 
woods  being  entirely  too  thick  to  ride  through,  and,  in  the  flanking  by 
the  rebels,  the  horses  were  captured.  The  brigade  lost,  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing,  some  530  men.  The  48th  behaved  exceedingly 
well,  and  did  considerable  damage  to  the  "Louisiana  Tigers."  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Sigfried  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fray,  encouraging  the 
men  by  actions  as  well  as  words.  He  was  ably  seconded  by  Major 
Kaufman  and  Acting  Adjutant  Gowen.  But  I  cannot  particularize;  all 
behaved  well ;  no  one  shirked,  neither  officers  nor  men. 

Our  loss  is  heavy,  some  152  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The 
following  list  I  have  taken  from  Acting  Brigadier-General  Nagle's 
report  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  48th  Regiment,  P.  V.: 

Killed,  7;  wounded,  61 ;  prisoners,  10;  missing,  74.     Total,  152. 

Nearly  all  the  missing  have  been  ascertained  to  be  prisoners,  and 
will  be  paroled  and  released  shortly.  Reno's  Division — our  brigade 
included,  of  course — was  also  in  the  action  of  Saturday,  protecting  bat 
teries,  etc.  Towards  evening  we  were  ordered  into  the  woods,  where 
we  went,  but  the  darkness  ended  the  fight  before  we  exchanged  shots 
with  the  enemy.  Our  division  was  exposed  to  the  shells  and  shots  of 
the  enemy  nearly  all  day  Saturday — (none  in  the  48th  hurt;  two  of 
Company  H  taken  prisoners) — and  was  the  last  Division  to  leave  the 
field.  We  retired  from  the  ground  at  nine  o'clock,  and  by  five  next 
morning  were  in  Centreville.  On  Sunday,  we  were  picketed  about 
two  miles  out  of  Centreville,  and  we  met  the  Q6th  on  our  way  out. 
Monday  afternoon  our  division  started  for  Fairfax,  and  was  the  first 
division  engaged  in  the  fight  at  Chantilly,  where  the  gallant  Kearney 
and  Stevens  fell.  The  brigade  lost  a  number  killed  and  wounded 
again,  but  the  48th  escaped  with  two  men  slightly  wounded,  merely 
grazed.  We  were  posted  in  a  wood  on  the  right,  to  prevent  any  flank 
movement  the  enemy  might  make.  We  remained  on  this  battlefield 
until  three  o'clock  Tuesday  morning,  when  we  made  for  Fairfax,  reach 
ing  it  by  sunrise.  By  six  o'clock  last  night  we  reached  our  present 
quarters,  almost  fagged  out  with  excessive  marching  and  fatigue.  The 
50th,  96th,  and  I29th,  are  all  near  at  hand. 

At  the  time  of  these  battles,  the  48th  was  in  the  First 
Brigade,  Second  Division,  Ninth  Army  Corps — the  Brigade 
commanded  by  Colonel  James  Nagle.  In  his  official  report, 
Colonel  Nagle  placed  the  loss  in  the  Br'gade  at  502  killed, 
wounded  and  missing,  in  actions  of  August  29th,  3<Dth  and 
September  ist.  In  the  48th  Regiment  the  casualties,  as  offi 
cially  stated,  were  as  follows: 


SECOND  BULL  RUN  73 

Wounded.— Lt.  H.  P.  Owens,  Co.  D;  Lt.  J.  D.  Bertolette,  acting 
assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Missing.— Capt.  H.  A.  M.  Filbert,  Co.  K;  Lieut.  H.  C. 
Jackson,  Co.  G. 

Killed. — Corporal  Wm.  Hopkins,  Co.  F;  Private  William  Nagle, 
Co.  H;  Private  Paul  White,  Co.  K;  Sergeant  R.  D.  Filbert,  Co.  K; 
Sergeant  Samuel  Petit,  Co.  H;  Sergeant  Thomas  Kelly,  Co.  H. 

WOUNDED 

Company  A. — Privates :  George  Albright,  William  Betz,  Elias 
Eiitton,  George  Miller,  Andrew  Neely. 

Company  B. — Sergeant  Thomas  Johnson,  Sergeant  Bassler,  Cor 
poral  Freshly;  Privates:  John  Lucid,  Nicholas  Shiterour. 

Company  C. — Privates :  Thomas  Whalan,  Jonas  Geiger,  Solomon 
Strauser,  James  Low,  Edward  Brennan. 

Company  D. — Privates:  John  W.  Derr,  Frank  Dorward,  Henry 
Gottshall,  George  Hartz,  Philip  H.  Kantner,  Peter  C.  Kreiger,  David 
T.  Kreiger. 

Company  E. — Privates :  Michael  Bohannan,  James  Bergain,  Sr. ; 
James  Bergain,  Jr.;  John  Becker,  Henry  Lord,  Abraham  Kleckner, 
Robert  Thompson,  William  Moose;  Sergeant  J.  H.  Fisher;  Fifer, 
John  Cameron. 

Company  F. — Corporal  Henry  Jenkins,  Corporal  Jno.  Devine, 
Corporal  George  N.  Douden ;  Privates :  Stephen  Taggart,  John  Powel, 
Thomas  Lloyd,  William  Jenkins. 

Company  G. — Corporal  Charles  Evans ;  Privates :  M.  Berger, 
John  Grace,  James  Muldowney,  Lewis  Quinn,  Joshua  Reed,  William 
Smith,  John  Shaw,  John  Wonders,  John  Willingham. 

Company  H. — Privates:  William  Dreibelbies,  J.  T.  Wildermuth, 
George  T.  Eisenhuth,  George  W.  Christian. 

Company  I. — Corporal  B.  F.  Kershner,  Private  Rudolph  Rumble. 

Company  K. — Privates:  Eli  Fenstermaker,  James  Day,  Milton 
Ludwig,  James  Cavanaugh,  James  Dullard,  Joseph  Burgess. 

MISSING 

Company  A. — ist  Sergeant  B.  G.  Otto,  Corporal  John  Taylor, 
Corporal  Brobst ;  Privates :  Israel  Britton,  Henry  Davis,  William  H. 
Koch,  George  Livingston,  Daniel  Leiser,  Joel  Marshall,  Morgan  Simon, 
John  Leiser,  John  Springer,  F.  W.  Simon. 

Company  B. — Sergeant  Philip  Hughes;  Privates:  William  Brad 
ley,  Henry  Copeland,  John  Evans,  L.  M.  Reece,  Joseph  Rahny, 
Samuel  Stamy. 

Company  C. — Sergeant  O.  C.  Hatch,  Corporal  John  Rorety; 
Privates :  John  Wiser,  Barney  Gettley,  Murt  Brennan,  John  Jones, 
William  Larkin. 


74  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Company  D.— Sergeant  William  Bambrick,  Corporal  George 
Ramer,  Corporal  Leonard  Shrishorn,  Corporal  J.  T.  Vankannon,  Cor 
poral  William  Timmons ;  Privates:  Mattis  Bailey,  Eli  Derr,  Isaiah 
Kline,  Joseph  Kuhns,  Charles  Miller,  Boto  Otto. 

Company  E.— Sergeant  Stafford  Johnson,  Corporal  D.  McAl 
lister;  Privates:  Alfred  Barlow,  Jef.  Canneld,  James  Farrell,  James 
Greener,  Joseph  Lord,  Thomas  Major.  John  McSorley,  Michael 
Brennan,  Hugh  McFeely,  Simon  S.  Mover;  Corporal  William  McKay. 

Company  F.— Privates:  Thomas  J.  Thomas,  John  J.  Morrison, 
John  Morrisey,  Samuel  Dunkerly,  Peter  Quinn,  John  Devine,  Michael 
Killrain,  Richard  Littlehales,  Thomas  Lyston,  John  Haggerty. 

Company  G.^ Corporal  Joel  Betz,  Private  John  Fame. 

Company  H. — Sergeant  Samuel  M.  Ruch,  Corporal  Thomas  H. 
Sillyman;  Privates:  John  E.  Benedict,  William  Huber,  Daniel  Lauer, 
John  W.  Ray,  Isaac  L.  Schmehl. 

Company  /.—Sergeant  Theodore  Pletz ;  Privates:  Christopher 
Seward,  H.  Link. 

Company  K. — Corporal  Thomas  Brennan,  Corporal  Patrick 
Hanley ;  Privates :  David  Boyer,  •  W.  D.  Dress,  Daniel  Shaneby,  W. 
Fenstermaker,  Hiram  Spears,  William  T.  Reed,  William  Lavenberger. 

The  50th  Regiment,  Colonel  Christ,  also  fought  bravely 
in  these  battles,  under  the  command  of  that  officer. 

it  was  now  seen,  after  the  repulse  of  our  troops  at  Bull 
Run,  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Gen.  Lee  to  force  his  army 
between  our  position  at  Centreville  and  the  fortifications 
around  Washington.  Reno's  command  was  moved  to  prevent 
him  from  accomplishing  his  purpose,  and  a  sharp  engagement 
ensued  at  Chantilly. 

The  action  began  at  5  p.  m.  at  Chantilly.  Gen.  Stevens, 
of  Reno's  forces,  led  a  charge,  and  was  shot  dead  at  the  head 
of  his  troops.  Confused,  and  their  ammunition  being  ex 
hausted,  they  gave  way.  "To  repair  this  break,"  says  the 
historian  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  "Kearney,  with  the 
promptitude  that  marked  him,  sent  forward  Birney's  Brigade, 
and  presently,  all  aglow  with  zeal,  brought  forward  a  battery, 
which  he  placed  in  position.  A  gap  still  remained  on  Birney's 
right,  caused  by  the  retirement  of  Stevens'  men.  This  Birney 
pointed  out  to  Kearney,  and  that  gallant  soldier,  dashing 
forward  to  reconnoitre  the  ground,  unwittingly  rode  into  the 
enemy's  lines  and  was  killed."  The  48th  formed  the  right  of 


SECOND  BULL  RUN  75- 

the  brigade,  which  occupied  the  right  of  the  entire  line.  It 
was  exposed  to  heavy  fire  during  the  engagement,  but  escaped 
with  a  slight  loss.  The  contest  ended  amidst  rain  and  dark 
ness — a  victory  to  the  Union  arms,  inasmuch  as  the  enemy's 
plans  were  entirely  frustrated. 

Following  this  disaster  through  the  inevitable  confusion 
there  occurred  much  suffering  to  men  and  horses  for  want  of 
rations,  and  some  high  officials  were  bitterly  criticised.  One 
of  the  ultimate  results  was  the  court-martial  of  Gen.  Fitz 
John  Porter,  who  was  dismissed  from  the  army,  under  the 
stigma  of  which  he  remained  for  many  years. 

Our  assignment,  September  2nd,  1862. — 2nd  Div.,  Maj, 
Gen.  J.  L.  Reno.  (Not  attached  to  any  corps,  at  this  time): 
6th  New  Hampshire,  48th  Penna.  Vols.,  2nd  Maryland,  the 
ist  Brigade,  Col.  Jas.  Nagle. 

General  Pope  warmly  eulogized  that  portion  of  the  Ninth 
Corps  which  had  come  to  his  assistance,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Reno.  "I  cannot  express  myself  too  highly,"  he  wrote 
in  his  report,  "of  the  zealous,  gallant  and  cheerful  manner  in 
which  he  (Reno)  deported  himself  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end  of  the  operations;  ever  prompt,  earnest  and  soldierly,  he 
was  the  model  of  a  soldier  and  a  gallant  gentleman." 


76  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  VI. 
South  Mountain  and  Antietam 

The  army  fell  back  to  Washington;  the  48th  being 
stationed  for  part  of  a  day  at  Fairfax  Court  House  to  prevent 
the  stragglers  from  getting  through,  and  held  them  up  until 
they  could  join  their  commands.  Our  march  of  thirteen 
miles  was  made  without  a  halt  for  rest.  The  condition  of 
the  regiment  on  its  arrival  was  deplorable.  Hungry,  foot 
sore,  and  almost  famished;  dirty  and  verminized,  if  I  may 
be  permitted  to  use  the  word,  to  such  a  degree  that  it  would 
seem  almost  impossible  to  get  into  normal  condition  again. 
A  few  days,  however,  accomplished  wonders.  New  clothes 
were  furnished  us.  Every  stitch  of  our  wardrobe  was  cast 
aside.  We  had  nothing  except  what  we  wore,  as  our  knap 
sacks  had  been  left,  as  before  stated,  on  the  battlefield.  Shelter 
or  dog  tents  were  furnished,  the  first  we  had  used  in  our 
experience,  and  we  were  soon  in  condition  for  the  Maryland 
campaign. 

From  the  Century  Magazine: 

Immediately  after  the  collision  of  the  armies  of  Lee  and 
Pope  at  Chantilly,  September  i,  1862,  Lee  set  his  columns  in 
motion  to  invade  the  North.  At  that  time  the  forces  under 
Pope  and  those  previously  commanded  by  McClellan,  were 
encamped  around  Alexandria,  Va.  McClellan  had  been 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  defenses  of  Washington. 
On  September  3rd  he  moved  three  corps  to  the  Maryland 
side  of  the  Potomac  to  guard  Washington  from  an  attack  on 
the  Northwest.  Lee's  advance  reached  Frederick,  Md.,  Sep 
tember  5th  and  on  the  8th  a  proclamation  to  the  people  of 
Maryland  was  issued  by  the  Confederate  leader.  By  the 
7th,  the  remainder  of  the  Union  Army  assigned  to  active 
service  against  Lee  had  crossed  into  Maryland,  and,  on  the 
9th,  began  to  march  to  meet  the  enemy.  That  day  Lee  issued 
his  famous  "Special  Order  No.  191,"  dividing  his  forces  with 
a  view  to  invading  Pennsylvania,  which  included  the  capture  of 
Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  by  Jackson,  and  the  re-assembling  of 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  77 

his  army  in  Maryland  for  the  march  northward.    This  "Special 
Order"  fell  into  the  hands  of  McClellan  on  September  I3th. 

The  Union  Army  was  at  that  time  approaching  South 
Mountain,  Md.,  from  Washington.  The  I2th  Corps  halted 
at  Frederick  on  the  I3th,  while  the  gth  Corps  passed  on  to 
Middletown.  On  the  I4th  the  Qth  Corps,  supported  by 
the  ist.,  drove  D.  H.  Hill's  rebel  division  from  Turner's  and 
Fox's  Gaps,  while  the  6th  Corps,  constituting  the  left  wing 
of  McClellan's  army,  carried  Crampton's  Gap.  Both  passes 
had  been  occupied  by  Longstreet's  troops,  who  held  their 
position  against  vigorous  assaults  until  night  covered  their 
retreat.  The  next  day,  the  ist,  2nd,  5th,  gth  and  I2th  Corps 
crossed  over  South  Mountain  at  Turner's  and  Fox's  Gaps  in 
pursuit  of  Longstreet  and  D-  H.  Hill,  who  retired  to  the  west 
bank  of  Antietam  creek,  where  he  awaited  the  return  of 
Stonewall  Jackson  from  Harper's  Ferry.  The  6th  Corps 
crossed  at  Crampton's  Gap  and  followed  the  other  corps  to 
Antietam,  acting  as  rear-guard. 

IN   MARYLAND 

Starting  immediately  upon  the  Maryland  campaign,  our 
troops  marched  rapidly  through  the  city  of  Washington, 
Leesboro,  Brookville,  Haymarket,  Kemptown  and  Frederick 
City,  and  reached  Middletown,  Md.,  on  the  I3th  of  September. 
Gen.  Burnside  had  the  advance,  in  command  of  the  right 
wing,  formed  of  the  First  Corps,  Gen.  Hooker,  and  the  Ninth 
Corps,  Gen.  Reno.  Gen.  Sumner  commanded  the  centre  and 
Gen.  Franklin  the  left.  Our  reception  by  the  people  of 
Frederick  City  was  an  ovation.  They  illuminated  their  houses, 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  was  thrown  to  the  breeze,  patriotic  songs 
were  sung;  and  refreshments  were  urged  upon  officers  and 
men.  Gen.  Burnside's  passage  through  the  streets  was 
blocked  up  by  citizens,  eager  to  thank  and  bless  him  as  their 
deliverer;  ladies  crowded  about  and  insisted  upon  kissing 
his  hands,  and  from  the  balconies  of  private  residences 
bouquets  rained  upon  him. 

SOUTH    MOUNTAIN 

After  passing  Middletown  the  army  proceeded  up  the 
road  leading  to  Fox's  Pass,  and,  when  near  the  top  of  the 


78  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

mountain,  we  turned  from  the  road  by  the  left,  into  a  field 
of  growing  corn,  and  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  in  and  through, 
a  wood,  until  a  low  rail  fence  was  reached.  Here  we  became  the 
right  of  the  brigade,  and  soon  exchanged  volleys  with  the 
enemy,  and  exhausted  our  forty  rounds  of  ammunition.  Our 
loss  was  light,  owing  to  our  protected  position.  The  enemy 
retreated  some  time  during  the  night,  and,  in  passing  over  the 
ground  next  morning,  we  found  that  the  lane  immediately  in 
our  front  was  absolutely  full  of  the  dead  rebels.  They  lay, 
actually  two  and  three  deep.  One  fellow  hung  upon  the  fence 
opposite,  an  arm  and  leg  on  either  side,  literally  riddled  with 
bullets.  In  a  log  house  near  by,  another  one  sat  with  his  eye  to 
a  chink  between  the  logs  with  a  bullet  through  his  head.  A 
detail  was  made  to  bury  the  dead,  as  the  hot  weather  tended 
to  make  the  bodies  unfit  to  handle  in  a  few  hours.  Trenches 
were  dug  along  the  side  of  the  hill  bordering  the  road,  and 
the  earth  pulled  down  upon  the  bodies  after  they  had  been 
laid  therein.  A  well  close  to  the  house  was  filled  with  the 
bodies  of  those  that  lay  in  the  lane  in  front  of  our  line.  At 
Sharpsburg,  Md.,  in  1895,  the  writer  was  informed  by  one 
who  was  an  eye-witness,  that  forty  bodies  were  taken  out  of 
the  well,  and  carried  south  for  burial. 

WHEN    RENO    FELL 

General  Jesse  L.  Reno,  the  commander  of  our  corps,  the 
9th,  was  killed  on  the  evening  of  the  I4th.  At  the  close  of 
the  battle,  the  firing  having  ceased,  he,  with  his  usual  vigi 
lance,  personally  attended  to  the  placing  of  the  pickets  for  the 
better  security  of  his  tired  troops.  This  placed  him  outside 
of  his  main  lines.  Having  accomplished  his  object,  it  being 
now  quite  dark,  on  returning  to  his  quarters,  he  rode  almost 
into  a  body  of  rebels  in  ambush.  They  fired  a  volley,  and  he 
fell  mortally  wounded.  General  Samuel  Sturgiss,  who  com 
manded  our  division  and  who  was  a  bosom  friend  of  the 
dying  General,  on  learning  of  the  affair,  hurried  to  his  side, 
where  the  surgeons  were  dressing  his  wounds,  and  asked:  "Is 
it  anything  serious,  Jesse?"  Reno  replied:  "Sam,  it's  all  up 
with  me;"  and  later,  "Tell  the  boys  I  shall  always  be  with 


U  N  I  V  E  R  S  I 

OF 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM 


79 


them  in  spirit,  though  not  in  body,"  and  soon  breathed  his 
last.  Thus,  like  a  pure,  noble,  and  true  hero,  this  gentleman, 
friend,  and  gallant  soldier,  passed  away,  his  work  being  done. 
His  bravery  had  never  been  doubted,  for  it  was  of  that  cool, 
deliberate,  but  cautious  character,  that  inspired  his  troops  to 


General  Jesse  L.  Reno 
Killed  at  South  Mountain,  Sept.  14th,  1862 

deeds  of  daring,  ever-confident  of  his  care  for  them  in  camp 
or  in  field,  which  endeared  him  to  them,  and,  in  future  battles, 
his  dying,  prophetic  words  nerved  their  hearts  to  heroic 
effort.  He  was  succeeded  temporarily  in  command  of  the 
Corps  by  General  J.  D.  Cox,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  in 
October,  1862,  by  General  O.  B.  Wilcox. 

The  Ninth  Corps  bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle  at  this 
point,  having  144  men  killed  and  546  wounded.  The  great 
loss  was  that  of  Gen.  Reno,  a  dauntless  soldier  and  a  gallant 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  81 

gentleman.  "I  will  not  attempt  in  a  public  report,"  said  Gen. 
Burnside,  in  his  report  of  the  operations  at  South  Mountain, 
"to  express  the  deep  sorrow  which  the  death  of  the  gallant 
Reno  has  caused  me.  A  long  and  intimate  acquaintance  and 
extended  service  in  the  same  field,  and  an  intimate  knowledge 
of  his  high  and  noble  character,  had  endeared  him  to  me,  as 
well  as  to  all  with  whom  he  had  served.  No  more  valuable 
life  than  his  has  been  lost  during  this  contest  for  our  country's 
preservation." 

McClellan  concentrated  his  entire  forces  and  reorganized 
his  commands,  placing  Gen.-  Burnside  in  command  of  the 
Ninth  Corps.  He  was  received  by  his  old  command  with 
shouts  of  the  wildest  delight,  to  which  he  responded  in  his 
usual  happy  manner. 

On  the  1 5th  the  regiment  moved,  with  the  rest  of  the 
army,  westward,  passing  over  the  battlefield  of  the  day  before. 
The  houses  along  the  roadside  were  filled  with  rebel  wounded, 
and  all  bore  every  evidence  of  a  hasty  flight. 

ANTIETAM 

The  battle  of  Antietam,  fought  on  Wednesday,  Septem 
ber  17,  1862,  made  the  little  village  of  Sharpsburg,  Md., 
memorable  thenceforth  in  our  national  history.  It  is  situated 
on  Antietam  Creek,  which  rises  in  Central  Pennsylvania,  and 
after  running  in  a  southerly  direction,  mingles  its  stream 

"The  army  has  met  with  a  grievous  loss  in  the  death  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Jesse  L.  Reno,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  South  Mountain,  while  gallantly 
directing  the  movements  of  his  corps.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
but  a  resident  of  Pennsylvania  in  1842,  when  he  was  appointed  to  a 
cadetship  at  West  Point.  He  graduated  high,  in  1846,  receiving  a 
commission  in  the  ordnance  corps.  He  was  distinguished  in  the  battles 
of  the  Valley  of  Mexico,  from  Cerro  Gordo,  to  Chapultepec,  receiving 
a  severe  wound  in  the  last-named  battle.  From  January  to  July,  1849, 
he  was  assistant  professor  of  mathematics  at  West  Point.  In  1854  he 
was  engaged  on  the  coast  survey. 

"When  the  Southern  Rebellion  broke  out  Reno  was  a  captain  of 
ordnance.  In  November,  1861,  he  was  made  a  brigadier  of  volunteers, 
and  he  was  put  in  command  of  a  brigade  under  Burnside,  in  the  North 
Carolina  expedition.  In  the  battles  of  Roanoke  Island  and  Newberne 
he  proved  himself  a  general  of  great  bravery  and  skill.  He  had  the  love 
and  confidence  of  those  serving  under  him,  and  from  the  private  in  the 
ranks  to  the  highest  officer  there  will  be  sincere  sorrow  at  his  death. 
Gen.  Reno  was  killed  by  the  fire  of  the  2$rd  N.  C.  troops." — Miners' 
Journal. 


82  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

with  the  Potomac  River,  about  five  miles  above  Harper's 
Ferry.  The  stone  bridge  across  the  creek,  which  Gen.  Burn- 
side  was  ordered  to  take,  is  in  a  deep  ravine.  The  face  of 
the  hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bridge,  is  too  steep  to 
be  ascended  by  a  horse,  and  must  be  literally  climbed  to  be 
surmounted  by  man.  The  roadways  from  the  bridge  turn 
abruptly  to  the  right  and  left,  and  rise  along  the  hillsides  very 
gradually.  On  this  steep  hill,  commanding  the  bridge,  was 
a  Confederate  battery,  and  there  were  also  rifle  pits,  stone 
walls  and  earthworks,  filled  with  a  determined  lot  of  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters. 

Our  brigade  had  been  formed  in  a  corn  field  opposite 
the  creek,  a  little  below  the  bridge,  and  then  received  orders 
to  carry  the  bridge. 

THE    FIGHT  AT  THE   BRIDGE 

The  line  advanced  by  the  right  flank  and  was  exposed 
to  a  withering  fire  of  infantry  and  artillery  from  the  heights 
on  the  other  side  of  the  creek,  but  we  kept  right  on  until  the 
head  of  the  2nd  Maryland  regiment  struck  the  bridge.  They 
then  balked  and  lay  down.  The  fire  at  this  point  was  fearfully 
destructive.  Our  commanding  officer,  finding  we  could  not 
get  past  this  obstacle,  broke  us  a  little  to  the  right,  and  we 
gained  cover  opposite  the  bridge.  The  Second  Brigade,  with 
the  5  ist  Pennsylvania  in  advance,  led  by  the  intrepid  Hart- 
ranft,  followed  us  as  far  as  the  head  of  the  bridge.  The  2d 
Maryland,  in  the  meantime,  had  cleared  the  roadway,  and  the 
bridge  was  carried,  Hartranft's  brigade  passing  to  the  right. 
Our  right  followed  immediately  and  took  the  road  to  the  left, 
capturing  quite  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  ammunition  of 
the  division  was  exhausted,  but  the  hill  was  held  against  every 
assault.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  engagement  was 
eight  killed,  fifty-one  wounded,  and  one  missing.  Among  the 
killed  was  Lieut.  William  Cullen,  of  Company  "E." 

Captain  Wm.  Winlack,  of  Company  "E,"  in  writing 
home  in  October,  1862,  of  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Wm. 
Cullen,  says : 

"He  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  resident  of  Valley 


0) 

73 


84  STORY   OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

Furnace,  Schuylkill  County,  and  a  member  of  the  Wynkoop 
Artillery  of  Silver  Creek,  from  1855  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  rebellion.  At  the  first  call  of  the  President,  he  was 
among  the  first  to  respond,  and  to  sacrifice  the  comforts  of 
home  to  serve  his  country.  His  acquaintance  with  military 
duties  was  such  as  to  qualify  him  for  the  position  of  Orderly 
Sergeant  of  Company  "E,"  Captain  Winlack,  i6th  Regi 
ment,  P.  V.,  commanded  by  Colonel  Zeigle,  and  during  the 
three  months'  service  his  faithful  performance  of  duty  and 
gallant  conduct  won  for  him  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew 
him.  When  the  company  was  reorganized  for  three  years' 
service,  he  was  unanimously  elected  ist  Lieutenant  of  the 
company,  which  office  he  filled  with  honor  to  himself  and 
his  country,  up  to  the  period  of  his  death  upon  the  battle 
field  of  Antietam. 

"At  Bull  Run  and  Chantilly  he  distinguished  himself  for 
true  bravery  and  again  at  South  Mountain,  and  Antietam 
where  he  fell  he  showed  the  true  spirit  of  loyalty.  The  loss 
of  this  gallant  officer  is  a  serious  one  to  his  company  and 
the  regiment.  "WILLIAM  WINLACK." 

Colonel  James  Nagle,  of  the  48th,  here  received  his  com 
mission  as  brigadier  general.  Lieut.  Col.  Sigfried  was  pro 
moted  to  colonel,  Capt.  Henry  Pleasants,  of  Company  C,  to 
lieutenant  colonel,  and  Capt.  James  Wren,  of  Company  B,  to 
major. 

General   Nagle   praises    his   troops   in   a   letter  to   the 
Miners'  Journal. 

HEADQUARTERS  IST  BRIG.,  20  Div.,  QTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

CAMP  NEAR  ANTIETAM,  SEPT.  2IST,  1862. 

MESSRS.  EDITORS:  Enclosed  please  find  a  list  of  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  during  the  engagements  of  the  I4th  inst,  at  South 
Mountain,  and  I7th  and  i8th  inst.,  at  Antietam  Bridge  and  vicinity 
of  Sharpsburg.  I  would  have  sent  it  before,  but  was  unable  to  do  so, 
on  account  of  our  continual  marching,  fighting  and  skirmishing.  I 
just  finished  my  official  report  to-day,  and  sent  it  to  headquarters,  and 
I  immediately  had  a  copy  of  casualties  made  from  it  for  the  information 
of  many  anxious  and  bereaved  friends,  with  whom  I  deeply  sympathize. 
The  particulars  of  the  engagement  you  have  had  before  this,  so  I  will 
not  trouble  you  with  them  again;  but,  in  justice  to  my  command,  I 


Colonel  J.   K.  Sigfried 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  87 

would  briefly  say  that  they  have  done  nobly,  and  marched  up  to  the 
work  like  old  veterans.  And  I  feel  proud  of  my  command.  The  48th 
has  gained  a  high  reputation  for  its  gallantry,  and  old  Schuylkill  need 
not  be  ashamed  of  her  representatives  in  the  field.  You  will  see,  by  a 
copy  of  General  Orders  No.  n,  that  the  left  wing  saved  the  day. 

I  take  pleasure  in  informing  my  friends  at  home  that  I  received 
my  appointment  as  brigadier  general,  from  the  hands  of  Gen.  Cox,  on 
the  battlefield  on  the  ipth  inst. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obt'd  servant.  JAMES  NAGLE, 

*      Brig.  Gen.  commanding  1st  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  Qth  Army  Corps. 

A    letter    from    Lieutenant-Colonel    Pleasants    to    the 

Miners'  Journal. 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPT.  17,  1862. 

MESSRS.  EDITORS  :  Amidst  the  din  of  battle  and  thunder  of  artillery 
which  is  echoed  again  and  again  by  the  surrounding  mountains,  I 
hasten  to  inform  you  of  the  glorious  victory  achieved  by  our  forces 
on  Sunday  last,  and  of  the  gallant  behavior  and  slight  loss  sustained 
by  the  48th  Regiment.  After  leaving  Washington,  our  regiment 
(forming  part  of  Burnside's  forces),  marched  to  Brookville,  thence 
to  New  Market,  thence  to  Frederick  City.  Here  there  was  a  cavalry 
and  artillery  fight,  in  which  the  rebels  were  defeated  and  driven  off. 
From  Frederick  we  marched  to  Middletown — McClellan  fighting  and 
driving  the  rebels  before  him. 

On  Sunday  we  marched  to  South  Mountain,  where  the  rebels  were 
posted  in  force.  The  fight  lasted  from  the  forenoon  until  about  ten 
o'clock  that  night,  resulting  in  a  complete  and  glorious  victory  for  the 
Union  troops.  The  rebels  were  outflanked  and  routed  by  Hooker,  and 
repulsed  and  driven  off  by  Reno.  Our  regiment  was  under  fire  from 
early  in  the  afternoon  until  late  that  night,  and  was  engaged  in  a  hot 
contest  with  the  rebels  at  short  range,  from  about  ?l/>  to  10  p.  m., 
when  our  ammunition  being  exhausted,  we  we-re  relieved  by  the 
4th  Rhode  Island,  and  the  fire  ceased  at  once.  Our  loss  was  very 
slight;  this  was  on  account  of  our  fine  position  behind  a  rail  fence. 
Next  morning  we  examined  the  place  from  which  the  rebels  were 
firing  on  us  and  on  the  5ist  New  York  (which  occupied  our  right), 
and  there  lay  from  100  to  150  dead  bodies.  The  loss  of  the  Union 
army  was  but  slight,  but  from  what  we  actually  saw,  I  can  state  that 
the  rebels  were  terribly  slaughtered.  At  no  point  was  the  enemy 
successful,  but  everywhere  defeated.  Their  retreat  continued  all  that 
night  and  next  day,  our  artillery  continuing  in  pursuit.  (We  are 
ordered  to  march,  so  I  leave  this  unfinished.) 

FRIDAY,  SEPT.  IQTH. 

Our  regiment  has  gone  through  a  most  fiery  ordeal — been  under 
infantry,  shell,  grape  and  canister,  solid  shot  and  spherical  case  artillery 
fire  four  distinct  times.  We  were  in  three  engagements  or  battles  on 


88  STORY   OF   THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

the  i/th,  and  on  picket  on  the  i8th,  and  I  can  say  the  regiment  behaved 
nobly;  firing  coolly  and  collectedly,  and  marching  in  perfect  order 
under  the  most  fierce  and  bloody  artillery  fire  of  spherical  case-shot. 
Both  officers  and  men  behaved  well,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Sigfried  was 
attentive  to  his  regiment  and  did  his  duty  faithfully.  I  send  you  a 
full  list  of  our  loss  in  the  battles  since  leaving  Washington. 

We  are  ordered  to  march  in  15  minutes,  and  must  therefore  close 
this  letter  at  once.  Yours  truly, 

H.  PLEASANTS. 

P.  S.  The  48th  has  been  (with  the  rest  of  our  corps)  in  the  advance 
since  we  left  Washington,  and  has  never  flinched,  nor  even  wavered, 
in  the  fierce  contests  in  which  it  has  been  engaged.  H.  P. 

The  48th  was  in  the  battle  of  South  Mountain,  and  in 
the  engagements  at  Antietam,  September  17  and  18,  and 
behaved  nobly.  The  following  account  was  furnished  to  us 
by  Captain  Bosbyshell: 

Miner's  Journal: 

ANTIETAM,  NEAR  POTOMAC,  MD., 
September  21,   1862. 

Two  more  fights  to  record,  in  which  the  48th  participated — the 
battle  of  South  Mountain  or  Middletown  Heights,  and  that  of  Antietam 
Creek  Bridge.  The  former  took  place  last  Sunday,  I4th  inst.  We  took 
up  our  position  behind  a  small  fence  in  a  cleared  field,  facing  a  wood 
— from  which  the  enemy  had  been  driven  in  the  afternoon,  and  where 
it  was  feared  he  would  attack  again.  It  was  fast  growing  dark,  and 
appearances  seemed  to  indicate  that  we  would  have  to  remain  and 
watch  where  we  were  all  night.  But  no,  our  skirmishers  (Company  B, 
Captain  Wren)  soon  were  attacked,  and  shortly  our  regiment  became 
engaged.  Here,  to  use  a  vulgarism,  we  had  the  "dead  wood"  on  the 
enemy,  and  could  pop  away  in  grand  style.  The  firing  of  the  rebels 
was  fast  and  furious,  but  we  returned  it  as  lively,  until  our  ammuni 
tion  became  expended,  when  we  retired  by  the  left  flank,  firing  all  the 
way.  Our  place  was  immediately  occupied  by  the  2nd  Maryland,  of 
Nagle's  Brigade.  The  enemy  "skedaddled"  after  a  few  rounds  from 
the  2nd,  and  did  not  disturb  us  any  more  that  night.  We  remained 
close  to  the  field  all  night.  Some  three  or  four  in  the  regiment  were 
slightly  wounded.  The  rest  of  Nagle's  Brigade  also  participated,  and 
the  loss  in  the  other  regiments  was  pretty  considerable.  The  next 
morning  we  moved  off  after  the  rebels,  passing  over  the  battlefield, 
where  piles  and  piles  of  dead  rebels  lay,  evidences  of  the  accuracy 
of  our  firing.  They  were  strewn  around  thick  where  we  had  been 
firing  the  night  before,  and  we  received  the  credit  of  having  piled  them 
up  so  famously.  At  the  battle  of  Antietam  Creek  bridge  the  brigade  be 
came  engaged  about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  continued  in  the 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  89 

action  until  it  ceased — at  nightfall.  About  n  o'clock,  Companies  B,  G, 
K  and  E,  of  the  48th,  got  into  the  fight — the  nature  of  the  ground  being 
such  as  to  prevent  the  balance  of  the  regiment  participating.  This  was 
on  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  and  our  boys  did  nobly.  The  sport  here 
was  so  keen,  that  I  noticed  Captain  Wren  and  Lieutenant  Douty  bang 
ing  away  with  spare  rifles,  evidently  enjoying  the  fun.  Soon  the 
"bridge  was  charged  by  the  5ist  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Colonel  Hart- 
ranft,  (as  brave  a  regiment,  with  as  brave  a  Colonel  as  ever  existed) 
<ind  carried,  the  rebels  leaving  in  double-quick  time.  Over  to  the  other 
side  we  followed,  and  our  regiment  was  thrown  forward  to  skirmish. 
We  gained  the  summit  of  some  of  the  little  hills,  when  the  rebels  opened 
a  terrific  fire  of  grape,  canister  and  spherical  case  from  several  batteries 
in  front,  causing  us  to  shelter  ourselves  under  the  hill.  'Twas  not  long 
before  the  infantry  became  engaged,  and  at  5  P.  M.,  we  were  ordered 
forward  to  support  the  5ist  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  We  hurried  up 
the  hill  (taking  our  position  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  5ist,  lying 
flat  on  the  ground.  The  artillery  firing  was  terrible,  and  the  range 
awfully  accurate.  The  Sist's  ammunition  giving  out,  we  crawled  up 
into  its  place,  while  it  took  ours,  determined  to  support  us.  Finding  our 
"batteries  could  not  get  a  position  to  support  us,  we  were  ordered  to 
retreat,  which  we  did  in  good  order,  to  the  bridge,  where  fresh  ammuni 
tion  was  obtained,  when  we  returned  and  slept  on  the  battlefield.  The 
loss  in  the  brigade  I  cannot  give — our  regiment's  amounts  to  some 
58  killed  and  wounded.  Among  the  killed  is  Lieutenant  William  Cullen, 
•of  Company  E,  a  brave  man,  much  esteemed  by  all.  Lieutenant  M.  M. 
Kistler,  of  Company  I,  was  wounded  pretty  severely  in  the  shoulder. 
Col.  Nagle,  who  now  ranks  as  Brigadier  General,  having  been  so  com 
missioned  by  President  Lincoln,  behaved  as  usual,  with  great  bravery 
in  these  engagements,  and  our  gallant  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sigfried 
deserves  great  praise  for  his  conduct  during  the  actions.  He  was 
constantly  on  hand  cheering  the  men  on.  I  can  occupy  no  more  of 
3'our  space  in  recounting  the  praises  bestowed  on  the  48th  and  the 
entire  brigade  by  General  Sturgis  and  others.  McClellan  says  the 
carrying  of  the  bridge  won  the  battle,  and  it  was  Sturgis'  division 
that  did  it. 

The  number  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  in  the  brigade 
commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Nagle,  was  as  follows : 

Killed,  34;  wounded,  153;  missing,  15.    Total,  202. 

The  casualties  in  the  48th   Regiment  were  as  follows: 

BATTLE  OF  SOUTH    MOUNTAIN 

Sunday,  September  14. 

Wounded. — George  Brigle,  Company  A ;  Sergeant  Wm.  Clark, 
Company  C;  James  McElrath,  Company  C;  J.  Kline,  Company  D; 


90  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Corporal  Jeremiah  Griffith,  Company  F;  James  Paully,  Company  F; 
John  F.  Kalbach,  Company  H;  Michael  Scott,  Company  H;  Benjamin 
Hoffman,  Company  I;  Israel  Kramer,  Company  I;  John  F.  Boch- 
man,  Company  I. 

Missing. — Martin  Toben,  Company  C. 

Recapitulation. — Wounded,  n;  missing,  I.    Total,  12. 

BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM   CREEK 

September  i/th  and  iSth. 

KILLED 

Alexander  Prince,  Company  B;  Alva  F.  Jeffries,  Com 
pany  D ;  Lieut.  William  Cullen,  Company  E ;  John  Broadbent,  Company 
F;  Charles  Timmons,  Company  G;  Corporal  Lewis  A.  Focht,  Company 
I;  Corporal  Daniel  Moser,  Company  K;  George  Dentzer,  Company  K. 

WOUNDED 

Company  A. — Corporal  H.  H.  Prince,  Charles  Krieger,  B.  F. 
Dreibelbeis,  George  Betz,  John  Whitaker. 

Company  B. — Mathew  Hume,  Frederick  Knittle,  Lorentus  Moyer, 
John  Robison,  John  R.  Simpson. 

Company  C. — Sergeant  W'illiam  Clark,  Sergeant  Edward  Mona- 
han,  Corporal  Samuel  Wallace,  Corporal  James  Gribons,  Robert 
Rodgefs,  James  Horn,  Henry  Dersh,  John  Dougherty,  John  Shenk. 

Company  D. — Corporal  Rothenbergcr,  George  Artz,  Walter  P. 
Aimes,  James  Evans,  John  Sullivan,  George  W.  Stillwagon,  Samuel 
Stichter,  Franklin  Hoch. 

Company  E. — Sergeant  John  Seward,  Sergeant  William  Trainor, 
Corporal  John  McElrath. 

Company  F. — ist  Sergeant  John  W.  Jenkins,  Sergeant  William 
E.  Taylor. 

Company  G. — Corporal  Charles  F.  Kuentzler,  John  Pugh,  John 
Rodgers,  Henry  W.  Nagle. 

Company  H. — Richard  Forney,  Jacob  A.  Witman,  Daniel  Ohn- 
macht,  William  Davis,  Samuel  Fryberger. 

Company  I. — Lieutenant  M.  M.  Kistler,  Charles  Millet,  Peter 
Keller,  Matthew  Fierman. 

Company  K. — David  Fenstamaker,  Edward  Payne,  Francis 
Simon,  John  Shaw,  Peter  Boyer,  Sergeant  P.  F.  Qtiinn. 

Recapitulation. — Killed,  8;  wounded,  51.     Total,  59. 

Extract  from  Chas.  A.  Cuffel's  address  at  Antietam, 
describing  the  part  taken  by  Durell's  Battery,  in  which  he 
mentions  the  48th  Regiment: 

"In  meditating  upon  the  stirring  scenes  which  occurred  at  this 
point,  I  have  speculated  as  to  what  might  have  been  the  result  if  our 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  91 

gunners — Conrad,  Burden,  Bender,  Buckman  and  Carver — had  not 
been  the  excellent  marksmen  they  were;  or,  if  the  cool  sagacious, 
gallant  Durell  and  his  efficient  lieutenants  had  not  been  able,  on 
the  instant,  to  note  the  distance  to  the  point  to  be  aimed  at,  the 
result  might  have  been  a  scene  similar  to  that  which  took  place  on 
yonder  crest — cannoneers  driven  from  their  guns,  artillery  carriages 
crushed,  and  the  battery  horses  cut  down;  but  the  dexterous  handling 
of  our  guns  and  the  accuracy  of  our  shots  enabled  our,  Durell's 
Battery  to  withstand  the  superiority  of  the  enemy's  guns,  which  bore 
upon  this  point  from  three  different  quarters — Wise's  Battery  in 
front,  the  Washington  Artillery  from  the  Cemetery,  and  the  Battery 
upon  the  heights  above  Snavely's  Ford — until  Clark's  Battery  came 
to  our  support  and  the  enemy's  fire  was  slackened. 

"Then  followed  that  spectacular  scene  enacted  by  the  Hawkins' 
Zouaves  who  passed  through  the  line  of  our  guns  and  advanced 
to  charge  Wise's  Battery.  How  steadily  and  strenuously  the  well- 
nigh  perfectly  aligned  ranks  moved  forward,  the  regimental  flags 
proudly  floating  in  the  hot  September  breeze,  the  landscape  here 
and  there  dotted  with  the  red-trousered  heroes  who  fell  as  the  line 
advanced  up  yonder  higher  crest,  the  men  closing  up,  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  as  fast  as  a  vacancy  occurred  in  the  line,  until  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  battery,  when  the  pace  was  increased 
to  a  rush,  the  battery  was  captured  and  its  guns  turned  upon  the  foe. 

"But,  alas!  those  gallant  zouaves  received  no  infantry  support 
and  were  soon  driven  back  by  superior  numbers  who  were  pouring 
an  enfilading  fire  into  their  ranks  such  as  no  troops,  however  brave, 
could  face. 

"The  artillery  frre  again  waxed  hot,  in  which  Durell's  Battery 
acquitted  itself  with  credit.  The  enemy's  infantry  advanced  and  a 
shower  of  bullets  flew  thick  through  the  battery.  The  gallant 
Schuylkill  County  miners — the  48th  Pennsylvania — held  the  line  of 
the  stone  wall  in  the  ravine  in  our  front  while  our  battery  hurled 
time-shell  and  shrapnel  over  their  heads  into  the  advancing  enemy. 
This  advance  was  checked  and  our  line  was  substantially  maintained 
until  night  came  on  and  stopped  further  operations." 
A  HARD  FOUGHT  BATTLE 

The  battle  of  Antietam  is  considered  by  many  the  hardest- 
fought  battle  of  the  war,  in  view  of  the  casualties  and  time 
employed.  After  the  bridge  was  carried  and  we  occupied 
the  ground  on  the  plains  beyond  the  creek,  we  were  subject 
to  a  fierce  storm  of  shot  and  shell,  and  it  was  with  the  utmost 
difficulty  and  determination  the  troops  held  the  ground.  Gen. 
Burnside  sent  to  McClellan  for  troops  and  guns,  saying  that 
unless  these  were  sent  he  could  not  hold  his  position  for  half 


$2  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

an  hour.  Fifteen  thousand  men,  constituting  the  division  of 
Gen.  Fitz  John  Porter,  were  massed  idly  in  the  valley,  and 
their  commander  was  with  McClellan  when  Burnside's  staff 
officer  rode  up  to  deliver  the  message.  McClellan's  reply 
was,  "I  have  no  infantry;  tell  Burnside  that  if  he  cannot  hold 
his  ground,  to  then  hold  the  bridge,  to  the  last  man — always 
the  bridge.  If  the  bridge  is  lost,  all  is  lost." 

The  bridge  was  not  lost.  Every  foot  of  ground  was  hotly 
contested,  and  when  the  sun  went  down,  it  was  a  source  of 
great  gratification  to  Gen.  Burnside  to  know  that  the  Ninth 
Corps,  after  a  hard  day's  fighting,  held  the  bridge,  and  thus 
secured  victory  by  remaining  on  the  ground  which  the  Con 
federates  had  occupied.  Pollard,  in  his  "History  of  the  War," 
said:  "If  we  had  had  fresh  troops  to  hurl  against  Burnside, 
at  the  bridge  of  Antietam,  the  day  would  have  been  ours." 

Among  those  who  fell  in  this  engagement  was  Gen. 
Isaac  P.  Rodman,  a  pure-hearted  patriot,  and  a  brave, 
•competent  officer. 

RETREAT  OF  LEE 

That  night  Gen.  Lee  quietly  returned  into  Virginia, 
leaving  his  dead  unburied,  and  some  two  thousand  of  his 
wounded  behind  him. 

Captain  Dryer,  commanding  the  4th  Infantry,  regulars, 
a  brave  and  experienced  officer,  made  a  dash  to  the  front, 
entering  the  enemy's  line,  and  reported  that  the  rebel  centre 
could  be  broken  in  front  of  Sharpsburg,  where  at  that  time 
but  one  battery  and  two  regiments  of  infantry  opposed  us. 
We  expected  from  the  activity  of  staff  officers  that  we  should 
be  ordered  to  attack,  but  no  such  orders  came. 

On  the  i8th  of  September  the  rebels  shelled  our  lines 
severely,  but  did  not  do  a  great  amount  of  damage.  We 
re-crossed  the  creek  in  the  evening,  being  relieved  by  fresh 
troops,  and  had  a  good  fresh  beef  supper.  On  the  iQth  we 
marched  over  the  battle  ground,  the  rebel  army  having  left 
on  the  night  of  the  i8th.  At  this  point,  Sharpsburg,  we  met 
another  lot  of  Schuylkill  County  boys,  the  i2Qth  Pennsylvania, 
and  spent  a  short  time  with  them.  They  received  their  first 
baptism  of  fire  here,  when,  with  the  Corn  Exchange 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  AND  ANTIETAM  93 

Regiment,  (the  n8th  Pennsylvania)  they  attempted  to- 
cross  the  river  after  Lee,  and  were  badly  beaten.  The 
i2Qth  did  not  get  much  of  it,  but  the  Corn  Exchange 
suffered  severely.  On  the  23d,  we  were  ordered  up 
at  daylight,  struck  tents,  and  ordered  to  march,  but  lay 
around  until  noon,  then  the  order  was  countermanded.  On 
the  24th  we  lay  in  camp  all  day;  on  the  25th  we  struck  tents 
and  lay  all  day  in  a  broiling  hot  sun,  and  then  pitched  tents 
again.  On  the  26th  we  packed  up  and  marched  two  miles 
and  went  into  camp.  October  3d  the  army  was  reviewed  by 
President  Lincoln  and  Gen.  McClellan.  The  troops  gave 
them  a  very  enthusiastic  reception.  On  the  7th  the  camp  was 
again  broken,  marched  over  the  South  Mountain  through 
Solomon's  Gap  to  Pleasant  Valley,  only  a  short  distance  from 
Harper's  Ferry.  Here  our  brigade  was  enlarged  by  the 
addition  of  the  7th  Rhode  Island  Regiment.  We  remained 
here  until  the  27th,  when,  in  a  heavy  wind  and  rain  storm,  we 
started  on  a  new  campaign.  We  crossed  the  Potomac  River 
at  Berlin,  Md.,  on  pontoon  bridges,  and  went  into  camp  at 
Lovettsville,  Va.  On  the  ist  day  of  November  we  heard 
heavy  firing  in  our  front  all  day.  We  were  soon  on  the  move, 
and  passed  through  Union,  Bloomfield  and  Upperville,  Va.,. 
and  on  the  night  of  the  5th  camped  at  Oak  Hill  Station,  on 
the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad.  On  the  9th  we  reached  Amis- 
ville,  and  were  sent  out  to  reinforce  the  cavalry,  who  were 
having  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  Next  morning  the  rebels 
opened  on  us  pretty  briskly.  The  brigade  was  drawn  up  in 
line,  and  advanced  for  business,  which  compelled  the  enemy 
to  fall  back,  as  it  appeared  they  did  not  wish  to  bring  on  an 
engagement.  We  were  aroused  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning 
and  marched  to  the  camp  we  had  left  the  Saturday  previous,, 
and  again  encamped,  but  were  immediately  ordered  on  the 
march  and  joined  the  Second  Brigade  at  Sulphur  Springs. 
Here  we  were  very  short  of  rations;  very  little  to  eat  but 
persimmons.  The  mule's  rations  of  corn  were  in  some 
instances  appropriated  by  the  troops.  This  condition  of 
affairs  continued  for  several  days,  when  we  received  rations 
of  bread. 


94  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Fredericksburg  Campaign 

On  the  1 5th  of  November,  the  rebels  opened  on  us  with 
artillery  from  the  south  side  of  the  Rappahannock  River,  doing 
a  lot  of  injury  to  the  wagon-train,  beside  killing  and  wound 
ing  many  men,  until  our  batteries  got  into  position  and 
quieted  them.  This  was  the  very  same  spot  where,  in  the 
preceding  August  prior  to  the  Bull  Run  engagement,  we 
received  just  such  a  warm  reception.  We  passed  through 
Fayetteville,  crossed  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad 
and  camped.  Here  it  was  that  the  announcement  was  made 
that  Gen.  Burnside  was  in  Command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  relieving  Gen.  McClellan.  The  next  two  days 
were  spent  upon  the  road  on  a  forced  march,  three  divisions 
abreast,  and  on  the  I9th  reached  Falmouth,  Va.,  opposite 
the  city  of  Fredericksburg,  where  it  was  expected  pontoon 
bridges  would  be  laid  ready  for  the  army  to  cross  and  occupy 
the  city.  Little  was  done,  as  there  were  no  boats  in  readiness 
to  make  a  bridge,  nor  apparently  any  effort  being  made  to 
get  any  in  readiness. 

In  the  "Official  Records"  is  found  a  paper,  dated  Nov. 
3Oth,  1862,  from  General  John  Gibbons,  which  contains  the 
following  passage,  relative  to  the  crossing  of  the  Rappahan 
nock  river,  before  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va. :  "The 
original  intention  on  our  part,  in  changing  our  line  of 
operations,  was,  undoubtedly,  to  surprise  a  passage  of  the 
river,  and  at  least  get  a  position  on  the  other  side  before 
the  rebels  could  be  apprised  of  our  intentions,  and  get  down 
there  from  Culpeper,  and  then  push  on  to  Hanover  Junc 
tion  on  our  way  to  Richmond,  cutting  their  line  of  retreat, 
interrupting  their  supplies  and  re-inforcements,  and  perhaps 
fighting  one  great  battle. 

"On  our  arrival  here,  no  means  of  crossing  were  at 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN          95 

hand;  the  surprise  failed,   and   the   railroad   being  out   of 
order,  we  were  obliged  to  wait  for  supplies  and  the  bridge 
train    until   the    enemy,    apprised    of   our    movement,    was 
enabled  to  throw  his  whole  army  around  Fredericksburg." 
Sergeant  William  J.  Wells,  of  Company  F,  says: 

"Upon  arriving  at  Fredericksburg  we  first  encamped  near  the 
Lacy  House  which  was  but  little  back  from  the  Northern  side  of 
the  river.  Here,  along  the  banks,  within  sight  and  hearing  of  the 


Sergeant  Wm.  J.  Wells,  Co.  F. 

rebel  pickets  on  the  right  bank,  our  picket  line  was  established, 
the  river  at  this  point  being  narrow.  To  cross  and  capture  the  town 
and  Marye's  Heights,  back  of  it,  at  that  time,  would  have  been  an 
easy  task,  as  but  few  rebels  had  yet  arrived.  How  anxiously  we  waited 
the  arrival  of  the  pontoon  bridges ;  but  day  succeeded  day  and  yet 
they  came  not.  Full  well  we  knew  the  task  awaiting  us  when  they 
did  come,  which  was  not  until  a  few  days  before  the  battle,  but 
by  that  time  the  rebels  were  well  fortified  upon  and  around  the 
heights  in  the  rear.  Later  on  the  infantry  were  moved  back  beyond 
the  Phillips'  House,  situated  about  one  and  a  quarter  miles  from  the 
river  and  which  was  used  by  General  Burnside'as  his  Head  Quarters. 
While  encamped  here,  in  a  depression  of  a  somewhat  elevated  plain 
we  were  subjected  to  occasional  plunging  solid  shots  in  camp,  which 


9G  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

came  from  a  large  rebel  gun  aimed  at  the  large  gas-filled  balloon 
of  Professor  Lowe,  which  was  used  by  General  Burnside  and  others 
of  his  staff  in  observing  what  was  going  on  within  the  rebel  lines. 
The  balloon  was  firmly  held  to  the  earth  by  long  ropes  passing 
over  it  and  attached  to  windlasses  for  safety,  the  gas  used  being 
made  in  ovens  erected  nearby.  As  our  camp  was  in  direct  line  with 
it,  whenever  we  saw  it  rising  we  left  the  tents  for  safety.  While 
here,  much  visiting  was  done  between  the  48th,  5oth,  96th,  and  I2pth 
Pa.  Regiments,  each  of  which  contained  Schuylkill  County  men. 
While  here,  also,  we  witnessed  and  took  part  in  an  event  which, 
probably,  was  never  elsewhere  attempted.  This  was  a  Division  drill 
by  command  of  voice  by  General  James  Nagle,  late  Colonel  of  the 
48th.  The  Division  was  composed  of  two  brigades,  each  regiment 
being  closed  'enmasse'  and  moving  as  a  solid  body.  This  drill 
attracted  many  general  officers  to  witness  it,  and  created  much 
enthusiasm  by  its  evident  success.  The  General's  voice  was  distinctly 
heard  by  the  intently  listening  soldiers,  and  the  48th  felt  proud  of  its 
old  Commander." 

About  the  28th  of  November  the  pontoon  train  began 
to  arrive,  each  boat  being  drawn  on  wheels  by  eight  mules. 
Meanwhile,  the  Confederates  had  thrown  up  batteries  com 
manding  the  spaces  where  bridges  could  be  laid  across  the 
river,  and  their  earthworks  began  to  be  seen  on  the  crest  of 
the  ridges  around  the  old  town  of  Fredericksburg.  It  was 
very  evident  that  Gen.  Lee  was  concentrating  his  forces, 
and  preparing  for  a  desperate  resistance  against  any  attempt 
to  cross  the  Rappahannock,  or  to  advance  towards  Richmond. 

On  the  night  of  the  loth  of  December,  after  counseling 
with  the  President  and  leading  bureau  officers  at  the  War 
Department,  the  engineer  corps  was  ordered  to  lay  three 
pontoon  bridges  across  the  Rappahannock,  upon  which  the 
army  was  to  cross,  occupy  Fredericksburg,  and  carry  the 
fortifications  by  assault.  A  dense  fog  filled  the  valley  and 
hung  over  the  river.  The  three  lower  bridges  were  laid  by 
eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  Gen.  Franklin  reported 
to  Gen.  Burnside  that  he  was  ready  to  cross  with  his  com 
mand.  The  three  upper  bridges  could  not,  however,  be  laid, 
owing  to  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  who  poured  in  a  merci 
less  fire,  and  Gen.  Woodbury  was  compelled  to  report  to  the 
commanding  general  that  the  bridges  could  not  be  built. 
"They  must  be  built,"  replied  Burnside;  "try  again." 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN          97 

The  engineers  returned  to  their  work,  but  it  was  impos 
sible  for  them  to  finish  it,  and  when  the  fog  lifted  at  noon  the 
fire  of  the  rebel  sharpshooters  became  more  deadly.  Going 
down  to  the  river  bank,  Gen.  Burnside  saw  the  situation, 
and  called  for  volunteers  to  cross  the  river  in  pontoon  boats, 
drive  the  riflemen  from  their  entrenchments,  and  hold  the 
town  until  the  bridges  should  be  laid.  Soldiers  from  the  7th 
Michigan  and  I9th  and  2Oth  Massachusetts  Regiments  sprang 
forward  with  alacrity,  and  they  were  rowed  across  the  river 
by  men  of  the  5Oth  New  York.  A  desperate  conflict  took 
place  as  they  landed,  but  they  soon  secured  the  Confed 
erate  riflemen  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  the  engineers 
were  enabled  to  finish  the  bridges.  It  was  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  however,  before  the  troops  began  to  cross,  and  the 
next  day  was  occupied  in  moving  over  the  army. 

AT  FREDERICKSBURG 

On  the  nth  of  December  a  heavy  artillery  duel  took 
place,  and  the  troops  on  our  side  of  the  river  were  moving 
towards  the  bank  ready  to  cross.  Our  brigade  did  not 
take  any  part  in  the  movement  until  the  I2th,  when  we  crossed 
the  river  on  a  pontoon  bridge  opposite  the  city,  and  lay  in  the 
streets  all  that  day  and  night.  The  shells  from  the  enemy 
were  exploding  all  around  us  while  occupying  this  position, 
and  quite  a  number  of  the  regiment  were  disabled.  On  the 
1 3th  our  brigade,  now  consisting  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania, 
2d  Maryland,  6th  and  9th  New  Hampshire  and  7th  Rhode 
Island,  was  ordered  to  the  assault  at  2  p.  m.  Prior  to  this 
we  had  been  in  an  exposed  position,  the  right  wing  lying  up 
one  street  northward  and  the  left  wing  on  another  street  east 
ward.  Directly  in  front  of  the  right  wing  was  a  large  brick 
barn,  behind  which  Gen.  Sturgis  and  staff  were  standing,  until 
a  solid  shot  came  flying  clean  through  the  walls,  scattering 
the  bricks  and  debris  in  all  directions,  and  with  it  scattered 
the  general  and  his  staff. 

Sergeant  Wells  of  Co.  F,  says :  "Just  prior  to  this  inci 
dent,  while  General  Sturgis  was  seated  upon  a  camp-stool 


Ninth  Army  Corps   Crossing  the  Rappahannock  on  Pontoon  Bridge 
at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,    December  12th,  1862. 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN          99 

and  leaning  against  the  barn,  General  Ferrero,  commanding 
the  2d  Brigade  of  his  division,  came  in  from  the  front,  much 
excited,  and  told  Sturgis  that  his  brigade  was  all  cut  up,  and 

demanded  to  know  why  in  the  he  did  not  send  them 

re-inforcements.  Sturgis  replied:  'Oh,  I  guess  not,  General; 
keep  cool;  take  a  little  of  this/  lifting  the  canteen  to  his 
lips.  While  so  engaged,  the  shot  came  through  the  barn,  just 
over  his  head,  but  he  never  lowered  it  until  he  had  finished  his 
drink;  then,  handing  the  canteen  to  Ferrero,  he  rose,  went 
to  the  corner  of  the  barn,  looked  over  the  field,  and  then  said 
to  Col.  Sigfried,  who  was  standing  near,  'Now  is  your  time, 
Colonel;  go  in.' 

"  'Attention !  Right  face !  Forward,  march !'  and  the  48th 
quickly  moved  to  the  right,  until  the  barn  was  uncovered, 
when  the  Colonel  commanded:  'By  the  left  flank;  march/  and 
the  regiment  swung  into  line,  rapidly  marching  to  the  front, 
then  to  the  right,  then  again  to  the  front,  when  we  halted,  the 
right  companies  finding  themselves  for  a  short  time  lying 
flat  on  their  faces  behind  a  frame  house  and  a  long  pale  fence, 
while  grape  and  canister  played  a  tattoo  through  the  same. 
We  had  been  carried  tco  far  to  the  right  and  could  not  advance 
farther  to  the  front  from  that  position.  Up  again,  then  to  the 
left  until  the  house  was  cleared,  then  by  the  front;  forward, 
with  a  rush,  into  shelter  under  the  brow  of  a  slight  elevation, 
when  our  advance  was  impeded  by  a  mass  of  men,  many 
deep,  seeking  similar  shelter.  Here  we  stayed,  doing  sharp- 
shooting,  picking  off  the  officers  and  gunners  from  the 
batteries  upon  the  heights  until  night-fall,  when  we  were 
withdrawn  under  the  cover  of  darkness." 

To  the  left  and  front  of  the  regiment  a  section  of 
Battery  E  of  the  5th  United  States  Artillery  was  fighting 
like  tigers  to  maintain  their  position  on  a  little  commanding 
knoll.  The  sergeant  of  the  section  rode  like  a  demon,  with 
blood  flowing  from  a  wound  in  his  head,  encouraging  his  men 
and  directing  their  aim,  but  nothing  living  could  withstand 
the  shower  of  shot  and  shell  that  literally  rained  upon  that 
band  of  heroes,  and  they  reluctantly  and  sullenly  limbered 
to  the  rear. 


100 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


We  marched  a  short  distance  by  the  right  flank,  until 
opposite  Marye's  Heights,  and  then  advanced  in  battle  line, 
to  occupy  the  summit  of  a  knoll,  south  of  the  railroad  cut; 
our  right  resting  near  a  small  frame  house,  fronting  the 
steepest  place  of  Marye's  Heights.  Ten  men  were  detailed 
from  each  company  to  pick  off  the  rebel  artillerymen  from 
the  batteries  immediately  in  front,  which  were  sweeping  the 
Union  ranks  with  fearful  effect. 

AT    MARYE'S    HEIGHTS 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  only  those  who  participated  in 
the  contest  know  how  much  and  how  little  they  heard.  We 
remember  how  the  smoke,  the  woods  and  the  inequalities  of 


David  Griffiths,  Co.  F. 

the  ground  limited  our  vision  when  we  had  leisure  to  look 
about  us,  and  how  every  faculty  was  absorbed  in  our  work; 
how  the  deafening  noise  made  it  impossible  to  hear  orders; 
what  ghastly  sights  we  saw,  as  men  fell  near  us,  and  how 
peacefully  they  sank  to  rest  when  a  bullet  reached  a  vital 
spot.  Farrow  and  Griffith  of  Company  F  stood  in  the  ranks  to 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN  101 

deliver  their  fire,  though  repeatedly  commanded  to  lie  down, 
until  Griffiths  was  shot  through  the  left  lung  and  carried  to 
the  rear.  Wounded  men  shrieked  and  others  lay  quiet;  the 
singing  and  whistling  of  the  balls  from  muskets  was  incessant; 
and  we  knew  very  little  of  what  was  going  on  a  hundred  yards 
to  right  or  left.  Participants  in  real  fighting  know  how  limited 
and  confused  are  their  recollections  of  the  work,  after  it  has 
become  hot. 

All  efforts  to  dislodge  the  enemy  were  unsuccessful,  and 
the  losses  very  heavy.  Night  put  an  end  to  the  contest,  and, 
having  exhausted  our  ammunition,  we  were  relieved  by  the 
I2th  Rhode  Island  Regiment  and  marched  back  to  the  town. 
Cannon  and  musketry  ceased  their  roar,  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  silence  of  death  succeeded  the  stormy  fury  of  the  ten 
hours'  battle.  We  were  soon  fast  asleep  in  the  streets  of  the 
town,  tired  out. 

On  the  1 5th  we  were  engaged  in  building  rifle-pits  on  the 
edge  of  the  city,  and  during  the  night  quietly  left  the  place  by 
the  same  route  we  had  come  into  it,  having  muffled  the  pon 
toon  bridges  with  brush  and  dirt  to  prevent  the  rebels  hearing 
our  retreat.  The  pontoons  were  lifted  and  we  settled  back 
again  into  our  old  camp  on  the  heights  above  Falmouth.  The 
loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  engagement  aggregated  sixty  men. 

Extract  from  the  report  of  the  commander  of  the  ist 
Brigade,  2nd  Division,  9th  Corps,  of  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg: 

"From  12.30  p.  m.  until  2.30  p.  m.  the  48th  Penna.  Vols. 
was  held  in  reserve.  It  was  then  ordered  to  the  front.  The 
men  marched  under  a  most  galling  fire  like  true  veterans. 
The  whole  of  my  brigade  remained  in  the  front  until  after 
sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  had  been  expended,  and  until 
they  were  relieved  by  other  troops,  when  by  your  order,  my 
command  was  withdrawn  in  good  order  to  the  position 
occupied  on  the  previous  night.  My  brigade  remained  on 
the  same  position  until  Monday  evening,  when  I  was  again, 
by  your  order,  moved  to  the  front,  with  instructions  to  hold 
the  city  at  all  hazards.  I  placed  my  troops  in  position  on 
the  left  of  the  railroad,  and  commenced  to  strengthen  and 


102  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

fortify  by  throwing  up  intrenchments  and  digging  rifle-pits. 
At  11.30  that  night,  by  your  order,  I  withdrew  my  command 
across  the  river  to  my  former  camp. 

"Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  the  officers  and 
men  of  my  command,  especially  to  the  6th  New  Hampshire, 
7th  Rhode  Island,  Qth  New  Hampshire  and  the  48th  Penna. 
regiments.  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  speak  of  the  6th 
N.  H.  and  the  48th  Penna. ;  they,  as  upon  all  other  occasions, 
never  flinched. 

"My  brigade  went  into  action  with  2,700  men  and  my 

total  loss  was  522." 

Very  respectfully, 

JAS.  NAGLE,  Brig.  Genl. 
To  Brig.  Genl.  Samuel  Sturgis. 

The  Miner's  Journal: 

HEADQUARTERS  48x11  REGIMENT,  P.  V., 

NEAR  FREDERICK SBURG,  VA.,  December  16,  1862. 

As  you  have  no  doubt  received  a  full  account  of  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg  and  of  the  evacuation  of  the  city  by  our  forces  last 
night,  I  will  confine  myself  chiefly  to  my  own  command  in 
the  engagement. 

We  bivouacked  in  the  street  on  the  right  of  the  city  the  preceding 
night;  towards  noon  on  the  I3th  marched  toward  the  left  and  to  the 
support  of  the  2nd  Brigade  of  same  Division.  At  one  o'clock  P.  M., 
received  orders  from  General  Nagle  to  march  to  the  open  field  in  the 
rear  of  the  city,  when  my  regiment  was  kept  in  reserve  (while  the  rest 
of  our  brigade  marched  forward)  until  half-past  two  o'clock,  when 
General  Sturgis  ordered  me  to  forward  my  command  to  assist  in 
repelling  a  charge  the  enemy  was  about  making  on  our  line.  We 
started  and  went  at  double-quick  (a  distance  of  half  a  mile)  under  a 
most  terrific  fire  of  shell,  grape  and  cannister  from  the  enemy's  bat 
teries.  Arriving  at  the  hill  (about  four  hundred  yards  from  the 
enemy's  breastworks),  I  was  requested  by  Colonel  Clark,  of  the  2ist 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  to  relieve  his  regiment;  their  ammunition 
was  nearly  expended ;  I  did  so ;  when  we  remained  on  the  crest  of  the 
hill  until  our  ammunition  was  exhausted  (sixty  rounds  per  man), 
when  Colonel  Brown,  of  the  I2th  Rhode  Island  Volunteers,  relieved  us. 
At  dusk  the  hill  became  crowded,  and  seeing  other  regiments  still 
coming  up,  Colonel  Clark  and  myself  concluded  best  to  return  to  the 
city  for  ammunition,  and  give  room  for  fresh  troops  to  get  under  the 
Shelter  of  the  hill. 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN  103 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  all  the  soldiers  (and  the 
following  officers  who  were  in  the  battle,  viz. :  Lieut.-Colonel  Pleasants, 
Major  J.  Wren,  Adjutant  D.  D.  McGinnes,  Captains  U.  A.  Bast,  G.  W. 
Gowen,  Winlack,  Hoskings,  O.  C.  Bosbyshell,  J.  A.  Gilmour,  John  R. 
Porter,  Isaac  Brennan,  and  Lieutenants  H.  Boyer,  Eveland,  John 
Wood,  Humes,  Chas.  Loeser,  Jr. ;  Bohannan,  Fisher,  James,  Williams, 
Jackson,  Pollock,  A.  Bowen,  Schuck,  Douty  and  Stitzer),  for  their 
gallantry  during  the  entire  engagement.  Their  line  was  steady  and 
unbroken  while  advancing  under  the  most  murderous  shelling  of  the 
enemy,  and  their  fire  deliberate,  well-aimed  and  effective. 

I  deeply  sympathize  with  the  families  and  friends  of  those  who 
have  fallen,  but  it  is  a  source  of  great  gratification  to  know  that  they 
fell  while  gallantly  defending  a  just  and  holy  cause. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing: 

KILLED 

Company  A. — Private  James  Williams. 

Company  B. — Corporal  Reuben  Robinson,  Michael  Divine,  John 
Williams,  William  Hill. 

Company  D. — Sergeant  Henry  Williamson,  Thomas  Kinney. 

WOUNDED 

Company  A. — Joseph  B.  Carter,  William  F.  Heiser. 

Company  B. — Sergeant  N.  W.  Major,  William  Brown,  Clemens 
Betzler,  Clarey  Heaton,  Philip  Carling,  Lieut.  John  S.  Wood. 

Company  C. — Corporal  Henry  Weiser,  Samuel  Harrison,  Charles 
Walker,  Andrew  Scott,  Michael  McLaughlin,  John  Murray. 

Company  D. — Corporal  John  H.  Derr,  H.  C.  Burkholter. 

Company  E. — Robert  Hughes,  Edward  Murphy,  John  Sunderland, 
Corporal  Michael  Sandy,  Corporal  Samuel  Clemens. 

Company  F. — David  Griffith,  Evan  W.  Thomas,  William  Fulton. 

Company  G. — Sergeant  James  C.  Nies,  Daniel  Dunn,  John  Tobin. 

Company  //.—Captain  Joseph  A.  Gilmour,  Corporal  Alba  C, 
Thompson,  Valentine  Kinswell. 

Company  L — Sergeant  Francis  D.  Koch,  Corporal  James  Miller, 
Wilson  Kerns,  Edward  F.  Shappelle,  Jacob  Gongluff,  Charles  E. 
Weaver,  Anthony  Beltz,  Joseph  Gilbert,  Elias  Faust. 

Company  K. — John  Currey,  Thomas  Currey,  Frank  Simon, 
Michael  Delaney. 

Missing. — George   Ayrgood. 

Recapitulation. — Killed,  7;  wounded,  43;  missing,  i.  Total,  51. 
Yours  respectfully, 

J.   K.   SlGFRIED, 

Colonel  Commanding  Regiment. 


104  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

When  we  first  came  to  Fredericksburg  on  the  iQth  of 
November  the  hills  upon  which  we  were  encamped  were 
covered  with  large  trees,  and  by  cutting  them  down  we  had 
an  abundance  of  firewood.  Now  the  stumps  of  the  trees  had 
been  trimmed  close  to  the  ground,  and  the  roots  followed 
down  into  the  ground  as  far  as  a  root  could  be  found.  The 
hills  were  converted  into  vast  clearings,  and  wood  squads  were 
formed  every  day,  hauling  the  wood,  for  cooking  purposes, 
from  a  distance  of  seven  to  eight  miles. 

About  the  3ist  of  December,  Burnside  had  arranged  for 
another  move  against  the  enemy.  The  cavalry,  under  Gen. 
Averill,  was  already  in  motion  when  a  telegram  was  received 
from  President  Lincoln  announcing  to  Gen.  Burnside  that  he 
must  make  no  movement  without  first  consulting  him.  The 
General  at  once  stopped  the  movement  and  immediately 
repaired  to  Washington.  The  President  informed  him  that 
the  reason  of  his  despatch  was  that  some  of  Burnside's  sub 
ordinate  officers  had  protested  strongly  against  the  movement. 

From  the  Miners'  Journal. 

To  the  brave  and  accomplished  Colonel  of  the  48th  Regiment,  P.  V., 
we  are  indebted  for  the  annexed  brief  but  eloquent  history  of  the 
services  in  the  field  of  this  gallant  regiment,  and  for  a  full  and  minute 
account  of  the  loss  sustained  by  the  command  during  its  first  seventeen 
months  of  service.  Both  will  be  read  with  great  interest  by  thousands 
in  this  community  who  have  watched  with  pride  the  conduct  of  the 
regiment  in  the  many  engagements  in  which  it  has  participated,  and  by 
those  whose  fathers,  sons  and  brothers  are  in  its  ranks.  Col.  Sigfried 
will  receive  the  thanks  of  every  person  who  has  a  relative  in  his 
regiment  for  the  care  and  trouble  he  has  taken  in  the  preparation  of  his 
interesting  statement : 

HEADQUARTERS  48'rn  REGIMENT,  P.  V. 

NEAR  FREDERICKSBURG,  VA.,  Jan.  i,  1863. 

EDITORS  Miners'  Journal:  This  being  the  first  day  of  the  new 
year,  I  concluded  to  write  a  communication  to  the  Journal,  and  with  it 
send  a  list  of  the  loss  in  my  regiment  since  its  organization  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  one  year  ago  last  August.  The  old  year  is  numbered  with 
the  past.  To  us  as  a  nation  it  has  been  indeed  an  eventful  one. 
Thousands  of  our  brave  sons  and  comrades  in  arms  have  yielded  up 
their  lives  as  willing  sacrifices  that  the  nation  might  be  preserved. 

We   enter   to-day    upon    the   new    year    1863.       What    shall   be    its 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN  105 

history?  May  we  hope  ere  its  close  to  see  peace  restored  to  our  now 
distracted  country — a  peace  founded  in  justice,  righteousness  and  uni 
versal  liberty.  May  all  the  benign  influences  of  good  government 
enfold  our  nationality,  and  all  the  horrors  cease.  This  day  one  year 
ago  we  were  stationed  on  the  isle  of  Hatteras,  N.  C.  We  then  num 
bered  in  this  regiment  about  eight  hundred  and  fifty  officers  and  soldiers. 
To-day  not  half  remain  fit  for  duty.  We  were  engaged  in  the  following 
memorable  battles,  viz. :  Bull  Run  No.  2,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain, 
Antietam  and  Fredericksburg.  It  is  due  to  both  officers  and  men  who 
remain,  as  well  as  to  the  memory  of  those  who  have  fallen  in  battle 
and  by  disease,  that  I  should  state,  I  have  been  with  the  regiment  upon 
all  marches  as  well  as  in  the  different  battles.  In  August  last  we 
arrived  here  from  Newport  News,  remained  a  short  time,  then  left  for 
Bealton  Station  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad.  We  left  here 
in  the  evening  at  dusk,  marched  all  that  night  until  about  three  o'clock 
a.  m.  At  daylight  we  started  again,  marched  all  that  day  until  dark, 
when  we  encamped  for  the  night.  Next  morning  we  took  up  the 
match  again,  arrived  at  the  station  at  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.,  remained  there 
several  hours,  when  we  took  the  cars  for  Culpeper.  On  arriving  there, 
we  were  ordered  to  march  south  of  the  town  (about  two  miles),  where 
we  encamped  for  that  night  and  the  next  day.  Thence  we  marched 
to  Cedar  Mountain,  near  the  Rapidan  River,  where  we  remained  for 
another  day,  but  on  the  following  day  we  received  orders  to  move  that 
evening  at  eleven  o'clock.  We  took  up  the  march  at  the  hour  named, 
marched  all  that  night  and  next  day  until  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
without  halting  over  an  hour  at  any  one  time.  We  crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock  River  at  Kelly's  Ford,  where  we  remained  two  days,  after 
which  we  left  for  Rappahannock  Station  again — thence  along  the  Orange 
and  Alexandria  Railroad  to  Manassas  Junction,  thence  to  Bull  Run, 
and  after  the  battle,  on  the  night  of  30th  August,  we  left  for  Centreville, 
thence  to  Chantilly,  where  we  had  the  second  engagement.  Left  there 
about  two  o'clock  at  night  for  Alexandria,  where  we  encamped  and 
remained  for  some  four  days,  when  we  went  a  short  distance  beyond 
Washington,  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac,  a  distance  of  some 
sixteen  miles,  where  we  again  encamped  and  remained  for  several  days. 
We  started  from  here  toward  Frederick  City,  Md.,  South  Mountain. 
Here  the  regiment  was  under  fire  from  about  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  until 
about  the  same  hour  in  the  evening.  At  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning 
we  left  for  Antietam,  where  we  arrived  about  the  same  hour  that 
evening.  Next  day,  September  i6th,  we  remained  in  camp  until  two 
o'clock  p.  m.,  the  shells  of  the  enemy  constantly  passing  over  our  heads, 
so  you  may  judge  the  men  did  not  rest  much.  Then  we  marched  further 
to  the  left.  Upon  the  I7th  came  the  battle.  I  have  given  you  a  random 
sketch  of  the  marches,  battles,  etc.,  for  a  period  of  about  six  weeks. 
During  the  whole  of  this  time  we  were  on  the  march  with  the  excep- 


106  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

tion  of  about  eight  days,  plodding  through  rain  as  well  as  sunshine, 
roads  often  very  muddy,  and  it  so  happened  that  when  the  roads 
were  in  their  worst  condition,  we  were  often  not  only  compelled  to 
march  by  day,  but  all  night.  The  greater  portion  of  the  time  (we 
being  constantly  on  the  advance)  we  were  short  of  rations,  very  seldom 
any  meat,  and  if  we  did  get  it,  had  but  scant  time  to  cook  it.  We  were 
often  out  of  bread  for  nearly  a  whole  day  and  sometimes  longer.  In 
justice  to  Lieut.  Keys,  acting  brigade  commissary  of  subsistence,  I  must 
say,  that  he  made  every  effort  possible  to  have  the  men  fully  supplied ; 
but  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  succeed  in  doing  so,  owing  to  the 
long  and  rapid  marches,  and  our  advanced  position,  the  supply  train 
being  in  the  rear.  Water  very  often  being  very  scarce.  Repeatedly 
did  I  see  men  drink  water  from  mud-puddles  and  stagnant  pools  by 
the  side  of  the  road.  At  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  they  had  lost  their 
blankets  and  all  their  clothing  except  what  they  had  on.  Their  shoes 
being  worn  out,  some  of  the  men  walked  literally  barefooted  from 
Bull  Run  to  Washington.  Yet  with  all  the  severe  marching,  lying  out 
without  tents,  short  rations,  want  of  clothing  and  bad  roads,  I  am 
proud  to  say  we  had  scarcely  any  stragglers.  I  have  repeatedly  seen 
both  officers  and  soldiers  really  staggering  from  sheer  exhaustion,  yet 
they  would  keep  up  with  their  companies,  determined  not  to  stay 
behind  as  long  as  it  was  possible  for  them  to  keep  up.  They  were 
cheerful  and  ever  ready  to  do  their  duties,  and  in  the  several  engage 
ments  I  must  say,  that  they  behaved  most  gallantly.  At  South  Moun 
tain,  Antietam  and  Fredericksburg,  while  advancing  in  line  of  battle 
from  a  quarter  to  a  half  mile  under  the  most  terrific  fire  of  the  enemy, 
I  did  not  observe  a  single  one  that  did  not  march  steadily  to  the  front, 
obey  every  command,  fire  deliberately  when  engaged,  and  when  the 
ammunition  was  exhausted  (which  was  in  each  case  sixty  rounds  per 
man)  and  I  was  relieved,  they  retired  in  perfect  order  under  the  most 
severe  fire  from  the  enemy,  when  I  could  scarcely  have  expected  them 
not  to  break.  A  large  number  who  were  not  severely  wounded,  instead 
of  going  to  and  remaining  in  the  hospitals,  had  their  wounds  dressed 
and  at  once  entered  the  ranks  again  by  the  side  of  their  comrades — I 
must  say  (and  I  do  it  not  to  flatter)  I  am  proud  that  I  have  command 
of  such  soldiers;  men  who  will  not  flinch  in  the  hour  of  trial  and 
danger. 

H.  Hardell,  hospital  steward,  deserves  great  praise  for  his  attention 
to  his  responsible  duties.  He  is  courteous,  and  always  ready  to  attend 
to  the  wants  of  the  suffering,  and  his  long  experience  as  hospital- 
steward  has  made  him  very  useful,  indeed.  Many  in  the  regiment  are 
willing  to  be  treated  by  him  when  sick,  having  not  only  confidence  in 
him  as  a  steward,  but  as  a  surgeon.  Dr.  Morrison,  our  assistant 
surgeon,  has  not  been  with  us  for  any  length  of  time  yet,  but  I  think 
he  will  prove  himself  what  I  much  hope  for  in  the  regiment— a  good 
and  efficient  surgeon. 


THE  FREDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN  107 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  J.  Wagner  and  Commissary  Sergeant 
Charles  Schnerr  both  deserve  great  credit  for  their  strict  attention  to 
their  duties. 

Quartermaster  J.  Ellis,  having  been  sick  for  a  long  time,  resigned, 
not  wishing  to  occupy  the  office  when  he  was  unable  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  the  same.  I  was  very  loath  to  have,  him  leave,  but  could  not 
advise  him  to  stay  when  I  believed  that  for  him  to  remain  in  the 
service  would  result  in  permanent  disability. 

My  thanks  are  due  to  Lieut.  Col.  H.  Pleasants,  Major  James  Wren 
and  Lieut.  D.  D.  McGinnis,  adjutant,  for  their  assistance  upon  the 
march  and  in  camp,  and  for  their  noble  conduct  in  the  engagement  at 
Fredericksburg.  As  to  my  line  officers  I  cannot  particularize,  for  all 
who  have  been  in  the  various  engagements  have  behaved  bravely  and 
with  great  credit,  proving  themselves  fit  and  competent  for  the  positions 
they  occupy. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  add  that  I  should  like  to  see  some  plan 
adopted  by  which  all  the  old  decimated  regiments  could  be  filled  up.  I 
would  not  be  able,  to-day,  to  take  more  than  300  men  into  an  engage 
ment.  Other  regiments  are  the  same.  It  would  take  three  of  the  old 
regiments  now  to  make  one.  If  they  cannot  be  filled  by  new  recruits, 
it  strikes  me  that  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  consolidate  them.  It 
would  certainly  be  a  great  saving  to  the  Government,  and  at  the  same 
time  would  prove  more  efficient. 

I  must  not  close  without  naming  the  fact  that  we  have  not  been 
paid  since  the  3Oth  of  June,  a  period  of  six  months.  I  am  satisfied 
that  many  of  the  families  at  home  are  suffering  in  consequence.  This 
should  not  be.  It  should  be  enough,  when  men  are  willing  to  sacrifice 
their  business,  leave  their  homes,  families  and  friends  and,  if  need  be, 
sacrifice  their  lives  for  their  country's  good,  without  having  their 
families  suffer  by  delay  in  payment. 

To  the  friends  of  those  who  have  died,  or  fallen  in  battle,  I  would 
say,  you  have  my  dearest  condolence,  and  to  those  who  have  been 
wounded,  or  are  sick,  you  have  my  sympathies  in  this,  the  hour  of  your 
suffering. 

Entering  upon  the  new  year,  as  we  do  to-day,  I  wish  you,  and  the 
many  readers  of  the  Journal,  all  a  hearty  and  happy  New  Year. 
I  remain  yours,  with  respect, 

J.  K.  SIGFRIED,  Col.  commanding  Regt. 

(The  list  of  casualties  spoken  of  in  the  above  letter  appears  in  the 
roster.) 

Upon  February  7,  1863,  in  Port  Carbon,  a  sword  was 
presented  to  Col.  J.  K.  Sigfried,  of  the  48th  Regiment.  The 
scabbard  bore  the  following  inscription: 


108  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Presented  to 
COLONEL  J.  K.  SIGFRIED, 

48th  Regiment,  P.   V.,  by  his  friends  of  Port  Carbon,  for  gallantry 

and  efficiency  as  an  officer  in  the  battles  of  Bull  Run,  Chantilly, 

South    Mountain,    Antic  tarn    and    Fredericksburg. 

On  January  the  igth,  1863,  the  citizens  of  Schuylkill 
Haven,  Pa.,  presented  Lieut.  Jas.  K.  Helms  with  a  very 
handsome  sword,  sash  and  belt. 

A  National  flag  was  presented  to  Co.  "A,"  48th  P.  V. 
from  the  ladies  of  Port  Clinton,  Pa.,  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1863,  accompanied  by  a  presentation  address  by  Rev.  F.  F. 
Kolb.'  Lieut.  Eveland  was  selected  to  deliver  it  on  behalf 
of  the  donors,  and  was  responded  to  in  behalf  of  the  com 
pany  by  Chaplain  S.  A.  Holman.  The  flag  is  a  beautiful  one, 
and  bears  the  honorable  inscriptions  of  the  various  battles 
in  which  the  company  participated,  viz :  "Newberne," 
"Bull  Run,"  "Chantilly,"  "South  Mountain,"  "Antietam,"  and, 
last  of  all,  the  memorable  Battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  YA. 
JANUARY  24,  1863. 

WHEREAS,  We,  the  officers  and  members  of  Company  "  B,"  48th 
P.  V.,  having  presented  Major  James  Wren  with  a  sword,  while  com 
mander  of  this  company,  for  his  undaunted  courage  and  gallantry  ex 
hibited  in  the  several  battles  in  which  this  regiment  participated,  do 
therefore, 

Resolve,  That  we  will  have  engraved  upon  said  sword,  the  follow 
ing  engagements  :  Bull  Run,  August  2Qth  and  3oth,  1862  ;  Chantilly, 
September  ist,  1862;  South  Mountain,  Md.,  September  i4th,  1862; 
Antietam,  Md.,  September  lyth,  1862,  and  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Decem 
ber  I3th.  1862. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  'presented  to  the 
Major,  and  one  sent  to  the  Miners'  Journal  for  publication. 

^CAPTAIN  U.  A.  BAST, 
SERGEANT  N.  W.  MAJOR, 
CORPORAL  A.  E.  BINDLEY, 

Committee. 


THE  FRBDERICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN  109 

About  the  2Oth  of  January,  1863,  another  movement  was 
commenced.  Burnside  had  prepared  it  with  great  care.  He 
had  personally  examined  the  ground  on  which  it  was  to  be 
executed.  He  had  fixed  the  position  which  each  division  was 
to  occupy  on  crossing  the  river,  and  was  confident  of  success. 
Hooker's  and  Franklin's  divisions  were  marching  towards  the 
right.  Our  division,  Sumner's,  immediately  in  front  of  the 
city,  did  not  move  out  of  our  camps,  it  being  the  general's 
plan  to  throw  us  acioss  the  river  here,  when  the  other  divisions 
made  a  crossing  on  the  right.  It  rained  the  night  of  the  2oth 
and  all  day  and  night  of  the  2ist  and  again  on  the  22d.  The 
artillery  could  not  budge  a  wheel,  the  supply  and  ammunition 
wagons  were  hub-deep  in  the  roads.  The  troops  almost 
drowned,  most  of  them  being  without  a  particle  of  shelter. 
It  was  cold  weather,  too,  being  the  middle  of  January.  So 
the  movement  came  to  an  end  right  there,  and  was  always 
designated  as  the  "Burnside  stuck  in  the  mud"  movement.  It 
was  said  that  the  rebels  had  large  sign-boards  stuck  up  on 
their  side  of  the  river,  rudely  lettered  with  the  above  inscrip 
tion.  The  troops  all  returned  to  their  camps,  and  shortly 
afterward  Burnside  was  relieved  from  the  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  General  Joseph  Hooker  placed  in 
charge.  His  first  movement  was  made  exactly  in  accordance 
with  Burnside's  plans,  and  resulted  in  disaster  at  Chancellors- 
ville.  Simultaneously  with  Burnside's  withdrawal  from  the 
command  came  Sumner's  withdrawal  from  the  command  of 
the  right  grand  division. 

As  a  result  of  the  Fredericksburg  action,  representa 
tions  were  made  at  Washington  by  a  number  of  Federal 
generals  inimical  to  General  Burnside. 

General  order  No.  8,  dated  Jan.  23rd,  1863,  appears  in 
the  "Official  Records"  from  General  A.  E.  Burnside,  but 
was  not  approved  by  the  President,  and  was,  therefore, 
never  issued.  It  dismissed  General  Jos.  Hooker,  Brig.  Gen. 
W.  H.  T.  Brooks,  Brig.  Gen.  Jno.  Newton,  Brig.  Gen.  Jno. 
Cochran,  and  relieved  from  duty  Maj.  Gen.  W.  B.  Franklin, 


110 


STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


Maj.  Gen.  W.  F.  Smith,  Brig.  Gen.  Samuel  Sturgis,  Brig. 
Gen.  Samuel  Ferrero  and  Lieut.  Col.  J.  L.  Taylor.  The 
order  was  issued  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President. 
He  disapproved  of  it,  and  Gen.  Burnside  was  relieved  at  his 
own  request  by  General  order  No.  20,  Jan.  25th,  1863,  and 
Gen.  Jos.  Hooker  placed  in  command  of  the  army. 

In  a  letter  to  Secretary  Stanton,  April  3Oth,  1863,  General 
Burnside  retracted  as  much  of  the  order  as  related  to 
General  Ferrero. 


Two  minnie  bullets. 
Centre  section  showing   as  they   met. 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  111 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
With  Burnside  to  Lexington,  Kentucky 

On  the  26th  of  January,  1863,  Gen.  Burnside  withdrew 
from  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  Gen.  Joseph 
E.  Hooker  was  appointed  in  his  stead,  and  assumed  command 
immediately.  On  the  next  day,  the  27th,  General  Sumner 
withdrew  from  command  of  the  Right  Grand  Division. 

Letter  of  President  Lincoln  appointing  Gen.  Hooker  to  succeed  Gen. 

Burnside: 

"I  have  done  this  upon  what  appears  to  me  sufficient  reasons,  and 
yet  I  think  it  best  for  you  to  know  that  there  are  some  things  in  regard 
to  which  I  am  not  quite  satisfied  with  you.  I  believe  you  to  be  a  brave 
and  skillful  soldier,  which,  of  course,  I  like.  I  also  believe  you  do  not 
mix  politics  with  your  profession,  in  which  you  are  right.  You  have 
confidence  in  yourself,  which  is  a  valuable,  if  not  an  indispensable 
quality.  You  are  ambitious,  which  within  reasonable  bounds  does  good 
rather  than  harm.  But  I  think  that  during  Gen.  Burnside's  command 
of  the  army  you  have  taken  counsel  of  your  ambition  and  thwarted  him 
as  much  as  you  could,  in  which  you  did  a  great  wrong  to  the  country, 
and  to  a  most  meritorious  and  honorable  brother  officer.  I  have  heard 
in  such  a  way  as  to  believe  it  of  your  recently  saying  that  the  Govern 
ment  and  the  army  needed  a  dictator.  Of  course  it  was  not  for  this, 
but  in  spite  of  it  that  I  have  given  you  the  command. 

"Only  those  generals  who  gain  success  can  set  up  as  dictators.  What 
I  now  ask  of  you  is  military  success,  and  I  will  risk  the  dictatorship. 

"The  Government  will  support  you  to  the  utmost  of  its  ability, 
which  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  it  has  done  and  will  do  for  all 
commanders.  I  much  fear  that  the  spirit  whicfi  you  have  aided  to 
infuse  into  the  army,  of  criticising  their  commander  and  withholding 
confidence  from  him  will  now  turn  upon  you.  I  shall  assist  you  as  far 
as  1  can  to  put  it  down.  Neither  you  nor  Napoleon,  were  he  alive 
again,  could  get  any  good  out  of  an  army  while  such  a  spirit  prevails 
in  it.  And  now,  beware  of  rashness.  Beware  of  rashness.  But  with 
energy  and  sleepless  vigilance,  go  forward  and  give  us  victories." 

General  Burnside  being  thus  relieved,  was  soon 
afterwards  appointed  by  the  President  to  the  command 


112  STORY   OF  THE   FORTY-EIGHTH 

of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio.  The  General  especially 
requested  that  he  should  be  allowed  to  take  the  Ninth  Corps, 
of  which  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  was  a  part,  to  the 
West.  We  therefore  prepared  to  depart  for  our  new  field 
of  operations. 

It  was  very  cold,  and  severe  snow  storms  were  frequent, 
and  the  troops  were  suffering  quite  considerably  from  the 
inclement  weather.  Company  and  regimental  drills  were 
held  almost  every  day,  and  contributed  very  much  in  the 
solution  of  the  question  of  keeping  warm. 

On  the  6th  of  February  the  Ninth  Corps  received  orders 
to  report  to  General  John  A.  Dix,  at  Newport  News,  Va.,  and 
the  news  was  received  joyfully  by  the  command.  We  went 
by  rail,  in  freight  cars  to  Aquia  Landing,  on  the  Potomac 
River,  and  were  there  consigned  to  the  United  States  steamer 
North  America;  remained  at  the  wharf  all  night.  There  were 
four  regiments  of  troops  on  this  boat,  making  it  decidedly 
uncomfortable.  At  five  o'clock  the  next  morning  we  pro 
ceeded  down  the  river,  thence  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  and 
came  in  sight  of  Fortress  Monroe  just  at  nightfall  and  anch 
ored.  The  next  morning  was  very  cold,  and  the  vessel  was 
headed  for  Newport  News,  where  we  arrived  safely,  were 
disembarked,  and  went  into  camp. 

On  the  I4th  Comrade  Hatch,  of  Company  C,  died  in  his 
tent,  very  suddenly,  and  his  death  was  very  much  regretted 
by  his  comrades. 

Along  from  the  I5th  to  the  2^d  it  rained  almost  every 
day,  and  as  we  were  living  in  shelter  tents,  our  lives  were  not 
supremely  happy,  and  drills  were  not  inflicted  upon  us  with 
the  usual  regularity.  We  drew  the  common  or  wedge  tent 
here  about  the  25th,  after  which  we  were  more  comfortable. 
A  grand  review  was  held  at  this  time,  and  the  Ninth  Corps  was 
very  highly  complimented  by  General  Dix. 

TO    THE    WESTERN    ARMY 

On  the  1 3th  of  March  the  third  division  of  the  corps  was 
sent  to  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  on  the  iQth  of  the  month  the  first 
division  was  ordered  to  Kentucky.  On  the  25th  our  division, 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  113 

the  second,  was  sent  by  Transport  John  A.  H'arncr  to  Balti 
more,  Md.,  and  from  there  on  to  Kentucky,  to  join  the  De 
partment  of  Ohio,  under  General  Burnside. 

We  remained  on  the  steamer  until  early  the  next  day, 
the  26th,  when  we  were  put  ashore  and  marched  to  the 
Northern  Central  Depot  and  took  cars  via  York  and  Harris- 
burg  and  Altoona  to  Pittsburg.  The  temptation  to  go  home 
for  a  few  days  was  so  strong  that  some  few  members  of  the 
regiment  took  French  leave  when  passing  Harrisburg,  and 
visited  their  folks  at  home.  At  Pittsburg  the  citizens  of  the 
city  had  a  grand  supper  prepared,  and  we  left  the  cars  and 
were  soon  on  the  outside  of  the  good  things  they  had  kindly 
prepared  for  us.  We  were  again  marched  to  the  cars  and 
were  soon  on  our  way  through  Ohio.  Upon  our  arrival  at 
Cincinnati  we  were  marched  to  the  Fifth  Street  market  house, 
where  an  elegant  dinner  was  in  waiting,  and  to  which  we  did 
full  justice.  At  this  point  we  crossed  the  Ohio  River  on  the 
boat  Queen  City  to  Covington,  Ky.  Here  a  train  was  in  waiting 
which  conveyed  us  after  an  all-night's  ride  to  Lexington,  Ky. 

On  the  ist  of  April  we  went  into  camp  near  the  Fair 
grounds  and  fixed  ourselves  up  in  great  shape.  Just  about 
this  time  we  received  four  months'  pay,  and  the  city  of  Lex 
ington  received  a  coat  of  red  paint,  whether  it  deserved  it  or 
not.  Some  of  the  members  received  several  days  in  No.  3 
jail,  which  they  fully  deserved. 

AT  LEXINGTON,  KY. 

The  regiment  was  now  detailed  as  city  provost  guard, 
with  Col.  J.  K.  Sigfried  as  commandant,  and  was  marched 
down  into  the  city  into  comfortable  wooden  quarters.  On 
the  1 3th,  camp  was  changed  to  an  abandoned  hemp  ware 
house,  just  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  The  change  was  a 
very  good  one,  as  it  kept  the  boys  from  frequenting  the 
saloons  so  much,  and  gave  us  a  good  drill  ground.  It  was 
close  to  the  toll-gate  dairy  farm,  and  the  two  pretty  milkmaids 
kept  our  camp  in  a  plentiful  supply  of  milk.  Lexington  was 
a  very  pretty  city  and  contained  many  loyal  people,  and  our 
stay  was  very  pleasant.  Quite  a  number  of  the  men  of  the 

8 


114  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

regiment  fell  in  love  with  a  corresponding  number  of  the 
ladies  and  were  married. 

Towards  the  end  of  April  General  Grant  was  busy  draw 
ing  his  lines  close  around  Vicksburg,  and  sent  for  the  Ninth 
Corps  to  re-inforce  him.  Oh!  how  we  hated  to  receive  this 
order;  we  did  not  want  to  leave  Lexington  with  its  brave  men 
and  pretty  girls,  but  it  seemed  that  the  fates  were  against  us, 
and  on  the  3Oth  orders  were  received  to  leave  the  next  morn 
ing.  On  May  ist  the  ist  East  Tennessee  Regiment  relieved 
us  and  took  our  places  as  provost  guard.  In  the  meantime 
some  of  the  citizens  of  the  city  had  drawn  up  a  petition  and 
gone  to  Cincinnati  asking  Gen.  Burnside  to  retain  the  48th 
Regiment  as  guard,  and  it  resulted  in  their  prayer  being 
granted.  The  next  day  we  started  in  and  relieved  the  ist 
East  Tennessee.  They  didn't  like  it  any  better  than  we  had 
the  morning  before.  On  the  following  day,  it  being  Sunday, 
at  company  inspection  each  company  was  interviewed  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants,  and  whilst  every  company  received  a 
reprimand,  Company  "F"  was  dreadfully  slandered  by  being 
pronounced  the  worst  company  in  the  regiment.  How  we 
repudiated  the  statements  of  Col.  Pleasants,  under  our  breath, 
of  course,  and  when  he  was  out  of  sight,  every  man  of  the 
company  voted  him  a  poor  judge  of  well-behaved  soldiers, 
and  hoped  he  would  never  make  public  the  opinion  he  pro 
mulgated  that  day.  He  never  did,  or  at  least  nothing  further 
was  heard  of  it. 

Our  duties  consisted  of  furnishing  guards  for  the  railroad 
stations,  ordnance  depots  and  jails,  also  in  patrolling  the  city 
day  and  night  to  preserve  order.  That  we  did  this  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned  was  evidenced  by  the  petition 
which  was  presented  to  the  commanding  general.  How  we 
loved  to  be  doing  duty  in  this  city — plenty  to  eat  and  to  wear, 
little  or  nothing  to  do  in  the  way  of  duty,  amusements  of  all 
kinds  and  everything  that  could  be  of  service  to  make  a  soldier 
happy.  Our  dress  parades  each  evening  were  poems,  so  to 
speak.  Every  man  had  his  clothing,  arms  and  accoutrements 
in  first-class  shape.  Our  drills  were  perfect,  and  round  after 
round  of  applause  greeted  our  manual  of  arms  from  the 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  115 

crowds  of  visitors  who  came  to  camp  to  view  the  evolutions 
of  the  troops  and  listen  to  the  music  of  our  very  excellent 
band,  which  had  been  maintained  by  the  officers.  The  band 
was  composed  of  the  following  men:  Horace  S.  Walbridge, 
leader;  Nicholas  J.  Rehr,  Andrew  Smith,  A.  B.  Walbridge, 
Amos  F.  Walbridge,  Samuel  T.  Skeen,  Fidel  Fisher,  Wm.  H. 
Hodgson,  J.  Boedefeld,  Charles  Smith,  Lewis  Legler,  Henry 
Downing,  Alfred  Bowen. 

THE    "KENTUCKY    LOYALIST" 

Comrade  William  P.  Atkinson,  of  Company  G,  a  printer 
by  profession,  started  the  publication  of  a  weekly  paper  and 
named  it  the  Kentucky  Loyalist.  He  was  placed  on  special  duty 
by  the  general  commanding  the  department,  and  his  paper 
was  productive  of  great  good.  This  paper  was  published 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  Comrade  Atkinson  removed  to 
Erie  after  the  close  of  the  war  and  died  there  in  1904. 

Lexington  was  the  home  of  Henry  Clay  and  General  John 
H.  Morgan.  Henry  was  dead,  but  John  was  alive,  very  much 
so,  and  was  cutting  up  monkey-shines,  ever  and  anon,  to 
worry  us  and  make  us  afraid.  On  the  i$th  of  June  we  had 
our  first  Morgan  scare,  which  passed  off  without  much  noise 
or  incident,  except  sending  Companies  "H"  and  "B"  to  garri 
son  Fort  Clay,  an  earthwork  just  outside  the  city  limits. 

The  drummer  boy  of  Co.  "H,"  A.  J.  Snyder,  writes  from 
Lexington,  Ky.,  May  27th,  1863,  as  follows:  "We  have  a 
nice  place  here,  and  are  well  contented.  The  people  like  us 
very  much,  and  say  that  this  is  the  best  behaved  regiment 
that  has  ever  been  here.  A  short  time  ago  our  regiment 
received  marching  orders  and  the  ist  East  Tennessee 
Regiment  relieved  us  of  this  duty,  but  when  the  people 
found  out  we  were  going  to  be  sent  away,  they  got  up  a 
petition  signed  by  the  Mayor,  Judge  and  hundreds  of  the 
best  citizens,  and  took  it  to  General  Wilcox  and  asked  him 
to  keep  us  here,  because  we  kept  ourselves  so  clean  and 
behaved  so  well. 

General  Wilcox  telegraphed  to  General  Burnside  to 
know  whether  he  could  let  us  stay,  and  Gen.  Burnside  tele- 


116  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

graphed  that  he  might.  We  had  our  knapsacks  packed  and 
everything  ready  to  march,  but  when  they  told  us  that  we 
were  to  stay,  we  rent  the  air  with  cheers.  The  ladies  give 
us  lots  of  milk  and  flowers  every  day.  The  girls  give  us 
drummer  boys  lots  of  pretty  flowers.  I  never  saw  such  a 
pretty  place  as  this  is.  It  is  just  like  a  garden  all  about 
here ;  we  had  a  big  fire  last  Friday  which  destroyed  one  of 
our  largest  hospitals,  but  we  got  all  the  sick  and  wounded 
out  safe.  The  ladies  helped  to  carry  them  out  of  danger, 
and  were  very  kind  to  them.  We  worked  very  hard,  but 
could  not  save  the  building.  We  have  a  great  many  rebel 
prisoners  in  our  jail.  They  are  a  hard  looking  lot,  dirty 
and  lousy  as  can  be.  Our  boys  go  out  scouting  and  capture 
lots  of  horses  and  "rebs."  Major  Wren  resigned  and  went 
home  the  other  day;  we  were  very  sorry.  He  was  a  good, 
kind  officer  and  a  brave  man,  too.  I  have  my  drum  painted 
and  varnished;  it  looks  like  new.  I  keep  hearty  and  am 
growing  fat." 

JULY  4,   1863 

We  celebrated  the  4th  of  July  with  a  very  pretty  street 
parade  through  the  city  during  the  day  and  fireworks  at 
night.  Our  camp  was  crowded  with  the  elite  of  the  city,  and 
everybody  went  away  happy.  Sunday,  the  5th,  was  a  very  quiet 
day,  but  at  twelve,  midnight,  the  long  roll  was  sounded  and  we 
sprang  out  of  our  blankets,  and,  hastily  dressing  ourselves, 
were  soon  in  line.  "Morgan  has  come,  is  now  on  the  out 
skirts  of  the  city,"  was  the  news  that  greeted  us.  Sixty  rounds 
of  cartridges  were  provided  to  each  man,  and,  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  6th,  we  marched  to  Fort  Clay,  prepared  to  give 
John  a  warm  reception.  We  barricaded  all  the  roads  leading 
into  the  city  and  made  every  preparation  to  give  him  a  "stand 
off"  if  he  came  our  way.  We  loafed  around  all  day  waiting 
for  him  to  come  and  wishing  he  wouldn't,  which  he 
didn't,  and  in  the  evening  we  learned  he  had  gone  clear 
around  us;  we  were  marched  back  to  camp  in  the  hemp 
factory,  and  on  the  26th  we  learned  that  Morgan  had  turned 
up  in  Ohio  and  had  been  captured.  Again  on  the  28th  of 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  117 

July  we  had  another  scare;  then  it  was  General  Pegram  who 
had  been  sent  on  a  raid  through  Kentucky  in  order  to  attract 
attention  from  Morgan.  The  regiment  was  again  sent  to 
Fort  Clay,  and,  after  lying  around  all  day,  returned  to  camp 
in  the  evening. 

During  the  scare  of  "Rebels  in  Kentucky,"  on  July  8th, 
1863,  Companies  "A"  and  "F"  were  sent  to  provision  Col. 
Saunders  and  his  Brigade  near  Laurenceburg.  Col. 
Saunders  was  killed  in  the  Kentucky  and  East  Tennessee 
campaign  afterward,  and,  at  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  a  fort 
was  named  in  his  honor.  We  had  a  hard  march  that  day, 
going  by  way  of  Versailles,  and  camped  near  Laurenceburg 
that  night.  The  next  day,  the  Qth,  we  reached  the  Ken 
tucky  river,  and  raised  the  ferry  boat  that  the  rebels  had 
sunk,  and  ferried  over  the  ammunition  and  rations  we  had 
brought  to  their  relief,  which  occupied  the  whole  day.  We 
camped  .upon  the  river  bank,  and  next  day  reached  our 
camp  at  Lexington. 

During  our  stay  in  Lexington,  a  detail  was  made  of  a 
lieutenant  and  five  men  to  collect  contrabands  from  the  plan 
tations  to  work  upon  the  fortifications.  This  detail  was 
mounted  and  visited  all  the  plantations.  A  large  place,  said 
to  contain  1000  acres,  owned  by  one  Alexander,  was  visited, 
but  no  hands  were  taken  from  him,  as  he  proved  to  be  a 
British  subject,  and  claimed  protection.  He  was  very  proud 
of  his  position,  and  was  quite  loud  in  his  denunciation  of  the 
Government.  If  the  detail  would  have  had  the  problem  to 
solve,  Alexander  would  have  been  a  wearier,  if  not  a  wiser, 
man  before  'sundown.  During  this  month  the  regiment  re 
ceived  its  State  pay,  which  was  due  from  September  ipth  to 
October  i,  1861. 

On  the  night  of  June  27th,  1863,  two  members  of  Co. 
"C"  were  stabbed  during  a  brawl  in  one  of  the  down  town 
saloons.  One  of  them,  named  Scott,  died  the  same  night. 
No  arrests  followed  this  affair,  as  it  was  never  ascertained 
who  the  murderers  were.  Company  "C"  was  peculiarly 
unfortunate  at  Lexington,  as  another  one  of  its  members, 
named  William  Burke,  was  shot  by  Corporal  Isaac  Barto, 


118  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

of  Co.  "F."  Burke  had  been  arrested  for  being  disorderly, 
and  placed  in  No.  3  jail. 

The  next  morning  Barto,  who  was  corporal  of  the 
guard,  was  ordered  to  take  Burke  to  camp,  a  distance  of 
about  a  mile,  with  positive  orders  not  to  allow  his  prisoner 
to  escape,  and  the  corporal  started  with  the  full  intention  of 
delivering  his  prisoner.  Burke  kept  threatening  he  would 
never  go  to  camp,  and  made  several  attempts  to  take  the 
gun  from  his  guard,  and  pestered  him  to  the  limit  of  endur 
ance.  Finally,  he  started  to  run  away,  and  after  calling 
upon  him  to  halt,  and  being  refused,  Barto  shot  and  killed 
him  instantly.  He  was  arrested,  a  Court  Martial  was  held, 
and  the  Corporal  was  released  with  the  compliments  of  the 
members  of  the  Board,  for  doing  what  they  termed  his 
bounden  duty. 

On  the  ist  of  August  a  man  named  Hart  was  hung  for 
murdering  his  wife.  The  murder  had  been  committed  two 
years  prior  to  his  execution.  The  hanging  took  place  just 
back  of  our  camp,  and  was  witnessed  by  the  whole  command. 

On  the  nth  of  July,  1863,  a  detail  was  made  to 
dismantle  a  house  close  to  camp,  the  inmates  of  which  had 
become  a  menace  to  the  discipline  of  the  troops.  The  dis 
mantling  party  did  their  work  very  effectually.  They  took 
all  the  doors  off  the  hinges,  removed  all  the  windows  and 
carried  them  to  a  neighboring  barn,  and  made  the  house 
unfit  to  live  in,  and  it  was  thought  the  problem  had  been 
solved  and  no  more  trouble  would  ensue.  On  the  I3th,  two 
days  afterward,  this  same  detail  had  orders  to  replace  every 
article  they  had  removed,  P.  D.  Q.,  and  so  'twas  done,  and 
the  same  conditions  prevailed  as  before  the  removal.  A 
sample  of  "red  tape." 

RESIGNATIONS  OF  GENERAL   NAGLE   AND   MAJOR   WREN 

While  the  48th  Regiment  was  stationed  at  Lexington, 
Ky.,  in  1863,  Gen.  James  Nagle  and  Major  James  Wren 
resigned.  The  events  were  thus  noticed  at  the  time  by  the 
Lexington  (Ky.)  Loyalist: 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  119 

General  James  Nagle,  who,  ever  since  its  formation — now 
more  than  a  year — has  commanded  the  1st  Brigade  of  the  2nd 
Division,  pth  Army  Corps,  and  has  led  it  through  all  its  battles,  has 
resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  The  General  was  beloved  by  all 
his  command,  possessed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  superior 
officers,  and  more  than  once  received  proof  of  his  acknowledged 
ability  from  Gen.  Burnside  himself.  He  was  the  embodiment  of  a 
true  soldier,  a  strict  disciplinarian ;  he  was  humane  and  kind  as  a 
father,  or  dear  friend,  approachable  at  all  times  by  even  the  lowest; 
he  was  brave,  prudent,  honest  and  good,  and  his  form,  countenance, 
and  bearing  inspired  the  beholder  with  the  belief  that  he  was  born 
to  command.  In  the  closing  of  his  military  career  our  country  loses 
one  of  her  bravest,  most  honest,  patriotic  and  faithful  officers. 

Major  James  Wren  of  the  48th  Penn'a  Vols.,  has  also  resigned 
and  gone  home.  The  Major  commanded  one  of  the  first  companies 
that  reached  Washington  City  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  and  has 
been  doing  honorable  service  ever  since.  He  was  deservedly  popular 
with  the  regiment,  and  the  boys  would  have  done  anything  for  the 
Major.  On  Sunday  evening  last,  at  dress  parade,  he  took  a  formal 
leave  of  his  old  companions.  After  making  a  few  most  affecting 
remarks,  he  began  on  the  right  of  the  regiment,  and  taking  every 
man  by  the  hand,  bade  him  good-bye.  His  feelings  bore  him  out 
until  he  came  to  his  old  company,  (B,)  when  he  burst  into  tears. 
He  was  now  to  part  with  men  whom  he  had  trained  and  taught  to  be 
soldiers,  watched  over,  and  led  in  battle.  The  images  of  many  of 
their  dead  companions  must  have  come  to  his  mind  at  this  moment, 
and  with  them  the  thought  that  he  might  never  again  see  many  of 
the  brave  fellows  now  before  him.  This  parting  was  like  the 
disruption  of  a  family — one  of  the  most  affecting  scenes  in  life — and 
there  were  few  dry  eyes  present,  even  the  spectators  giving  way  to 
the  infection.  Early  on  Monday  morning  the  Regiment,  without 
arms,  escorted  the  Major  to  the  depot  on  his  way  home.  They 
deeply  regret  his  leaving  them,  and  can  never  forget  him. 

GOOD-BYE   TO    LEXINGTON 

On  the  8th  of  September,  we  received  orders  to  leave  Lex 
ington  to  join  our  corps,  which  had  just  returned  from  the 
capture  of  Vicksburg,  and  was  on  the  way  to  East  Tennessee. 
On  the  loth,  the  7th  Rhode  Island  relieved  us,  and  we  took 
cars  to  Nicholasville,  Ky.,  and  then  marched  to  Camp  Parke, 
a  distance  of  five  miles,  which  made  us  very  tired  and  very 
much  disgusted  with  the  whole  business,  after  having  such  a 
"snap,"  for  such  a  length  of  time.  We  got  over  that  before  a 
great  while,  and,  with  new  excitement,  almost  forgot  we  had 
been  there. 


120  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

August  3 ist,  1863,  Lexington,  Kentucky.  Attached  to 
the  23rd  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Geo.  L.  Hartsuff  command 
ing:  ist  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  J.  T.  Boyle;  Brigade  Com.  Col. 
J.  K.  Sigfried;  6th  Indiana  Cavalry,  4  companies;  ist  Ohio 
Heavy  Artillery,  2  companies;  48th  Penna.  Vols.,  Maj.  Jos. 
A.  Gilmour. 

The  Lexington  (Ky.)  Loyalist  of  Saturday  last  says: 
"When  the  48th  left  here  they  were  in  considerable  debt  to  some 
of  the  citizens.  Being  ordered  away  without  being  paid  off,  they  were 
unable  to  pay  these  debts,  but  as  soon  as  they  were  paid,  they,  with 
the  same  honesty  that  distinguished  them  while  here,  sent  over  $3000  by 
Mr.  Lipman,  their  sutler,  to  pay  all  their  honest  debts.  They,  unlike 
some  soldiers,  that  would  have  taken  advantage  of  their  absence,  and 
allowed  the  debt  to  remain,  were  not  indifferent  to  the  kindness  ot 
our  citizens,  but  honestly  liquidated  all  their  debts.  Such  soldiers  are 
ornaments  to  the  American  army." 

Clipped  from  the  Loyalist,  published  in  Miners'  Journal: 
DEPARTURE  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH  PENNSYLVANIA  REGIMENT. 

This  regiment,  which  has  been  doing  Provost  duty  in  this  city  for 
the  past  five  months,  has  been  relieved  and  moved  off  to  the  front.  They 
received  orders  on  Tuesday  last  to  prepare  for  marching,  and  on 
Thursday  morning  were  relieved  by  the  7th  Rhode  Island  Regiment. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  regiment  fell  into  line  and,  after  being  briefly 
addressed  by  the  Colonel  upon  their  conduct  while  here,  and  their  duty 
upon  leaving,  they  marched  to  the  Covington  Depot,  with  colors  flying 
and  band  playing. 

They  were  greeted,  while  passing  through  the  city,  with  the  waving 
of  handkerchiefs,  numerous  shaking  of  hands,  bidding  of  "good-byes," 
and  in  many  instances,  by  the  shedding  of  tears.  Several  times  the 
band  struck  up  with  the  "Girl  I  left  behind  me,"  at  which  many  of  the 
boys  would  assume  a  melancholy  look,  and  some  would  apply  the  hand 
kerchief  to  their  eyes,  which  bespoke  that  truth  was  issuing  from  the 
horns  with  telling  effect.  When  the  column  reached  the  Court  House 
the  Colonel  proposed  "three  cheers  for  the  people  of  Lexington,"  which 
was  given  with  a  hearty  good  will,  and  three  more  were. as  cheerfully 
given  some  distance  further  down  the  street.  Upon  reaching  the  depot 
they  were  met  by  quite  a  large  number  of  citizens  who  had  congregated 
there  to  take  a  final  leave  of  "soldiers  who  are  gentlemen  in  all  they 
do  and  say."  After  waiting  nearly  an  hour,  the  train  was  pronounced 
in  readiness,  the  regiment  got  aboard,  and  the  train  started.  As  they 
were  moving  away,  the  boys  off  with  their  caps  and  cheered  vociferously 
until  they  were  out  of  sight,  thus  bidding  adieu  to  attachments  that  will 
not  be  forgotten  as  long  as  life  lasts. 


WITH  BURNSIDE  TO  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY  121 

The  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  has  had  the  charge  of  this  post 
for  nearly  six  months,  and  the  efficient,  quiet  and  orderly  manner  with 
which  it  has  been  conducted  has  won  praise  from  all — even  rebel 
sympathizers  have  admired  them,  and  spoken  of  them  in  the  highest 
praise.  Many  attachments  have  been  formed  by  them  between  both 
young  and  old  of  both  sexes,  which  will  never  be  blotted  from  memory. 
They  parted  and  were  parted  with  as  reluctantly  as  if  they  were  leaving 
their  homes  and  kindred — in  fact,  some  were  doing  so,  several  having 
married  since  their  arrival  here  and  others  were  on  the  eve  of  doing 
so.  Many  were  the  parting  words  and  tears  that  fell  from  lips  and 
eyes  as  the  boys  lingered  at  the  gates,  as  if  it  were  almost  impossible 
to  go,  but  "duty  called  and  they  must  obey,"  and  bid  good-bye  to  "all 
they  held  dear." 

Colonel  J.  K.  Sigfried,  the  relieved  post  commandant,  having 
business  to  be  attended  to,  did  not  leave  with  the  regiment,  but  remained 
until  about  six  o'clock  that  evening.  Ere  leaving  he  gave  a  dinner  at 
the  Phoenix  Hotel  to  a  number  of  his  friends,  where  an  hour  was 
passed  in  pleasant  conversation  and  in  drinking  toasts,  one  of  which 
we  cannot  forbear  giving,  "The  Ladies  of  Kentucky."  After  dinner 
the  Colonel  bade  his  friends  adieu  and  proceeded  to  Nicholasville  on 
horseback,  where  he  rejoined  his  regiment.  The  Colonel  was  the 
recipient  of  numerous  presents. 

The  band  which  the  regiment  has  supported  since  its  arrival  here 
could  not  go  along  on  account  of  not  belonging  to  "Uncle  Samuel,"  and 
after  escorting  the  regiment  to  the  depot,  they  bade  it  farewell  and  left 
for  home  the  same  day. 

Below  we  give  a  communication  from  one  of  the  48th,  and  can 
assure  our  readers  that  it  is  the  universal  feeling  in  the  regiment: 

"LEXINGTON,  Sept.  10,  1863. 

"MR.  EDITOR:  We  cannot  leave  this  place  without  expressing  some 
of  the  feeling  that  is  stirred  within  us  as  we  say  our  'farewells,'  and 
'good-byes'  to  the  good  people  of  Lexington. 

"We  have  been  treated  most  kindly  by  nearly  all ;  we  have  become 
acquainted  with  many;  admitted  to  the  homes  and  shared  the  hos 
pitalities  of  some,  and  formed  friendships  that  are  as  warm,  and  shall 
last  as  long  as  any  of  life.  And  while  we  have  been  treated  kindly  by 
some  who  have  avowed  themselves  of  rebel  sympathies,  it  is  to  the 
strictly  loyal  men  and  women  that  we  owe  our  deepest  gratitude.  They 
are  to  us  as  brothers  and  sisters,  fathers  and  mothers,  and  it  seems  as 
hard  to  say  the  little,  sad  and  mournful  'good-bye,'  as  when  we  left  our 
own  homes.  We  part  from  them  with  regret.  Their  many  deeds  of 
kindness,  words  of  cheer,  and  their  many  blessings  shall  be  deeply 
engraven  on  our  hearts,  and  often,  in  the  busy  and  crowded  future  that 
is  before  us,  we  shall  love  to  think  of  the  noble  girls  who  say : 


122  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

"  'But  your  country  called  you,  darling, 

Angels  cheer  your  way; 
While  our  nation's  sons  are  fighting, 

We  can  only  pray. 
Nobly  strike  for  God  and  liberty, 

Let  all  nations  see 
How  we  love  the  starry  banner, 

Emblem  of  the  free.' 

"And  the  kind  and  glorious  mothers  who  have  treated  us  as  sons, 
ministered  to  wants  only  dreamed  of  by  mothers,  and  who  have  shed 
the  halo  of  that  mysterious  and  unaccountable  influence  over  every  word 
and  deed,  that  seems  as  the  reflected  image  of  our  own  fond,  dear 
mothers.  And  God  will  surely  bless  you.  Who  shall  say  the  right  is 
not  with  us  ?  Who  shall  say  that  the  ultimate  triumph  of  this  war  can 
be  other  than  the  return  of  peace  with  the  Union  of  our  country 
unimpaired? 

"The  prayers  of  the  mothers  and  fair  daughters  of  our  country, 
their  heroic  self-sacrifices  and  noble  words  of  sympathy,  cheer  and  love 
infused  into  the  hearts  of  its  brave  defenders,  rekindling  the  fires  of 
patriotism  with  a  deeper  intensity.  We  must  save  our  country  from 
the  hands  of  the  destroyer. 

"The  women  of  Kentucky  send  their  greeting  to  the  mothers  and 
daughters  of  Pennsylvania  through  the  affections  of  their  sons  and 
brothers. 

"We  say  to  them  to-day  'Farewell,  and  God  bless  you !  Kind 
friends,  farewell!' 

"We  commend  the  7th  Rhode  Island  Regiment  to  the  citizens  of 
Lexington  with  the  hope  that  they  will  be  treated  as  well  as  the  48th 
was,  which  we  can  assure  them  if  they  behave  themselves  as  well  as 
the  relieved  regiment  has  done.  Kentuckians  are  a  fine  people  and  treat 
everyone  very  kindly." 

"FORTY-EIGHTH." 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  123 


CHAPTER   IX. 
The  Tennessee   Campaign 

On  the  I2th  we  reached  Camp  Dick  Robinson  in  a  very 
heavy  rain-storm.  The  1st  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  Qth 
Corps,  was  here  re-formed,  to  consist  of  the  48th  Pennsyl 
vania,  2nd  Maryland,  6th  New  Hampshire,  and  2ist 
Massachusetts,  Colonel  Sigfried,  of  the  48th  Regiment,  com 
manding.  We  were  on  the  march  now  every  day — 
passed  through  Lancaster  over  their  beautiful  limestone  pike, 
then  to  Crab  Orchard  and  reached  Mt.  Vernon  on  the  i6th. 
The  i7th  and  i8th  were  spent  upon  the  road  marching  towards 
our  destination;  on  the  night  of  the  i8th  we  camped  in  sight 
of  Loudon,  and  received  our  pay  for  July  and  August.  On 
the  21  st  we  crossed  the  Cumberland  River  and  the  following 
day  climbed  the  Cumberland  Mountain  over  very  rough  roads, 
and  passed  through  Cumberland  Gap.  While  crossing1 
over  the  Wild  Cat  Mountain,  Ky.,  we  passed  the  spot  where 
the  rebel  General  Zollicoffer  was  killed  in  a  fight  with  General 
Nelson  Sharpp,  on  October  21,  1861.  On  the  summit  of  this 
mountain  the  States  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Virginia 
join,  and  'twas  said  that  at  a  point  on  the  road  a  person  could 
stand  with  one  foot  in  Tennessee,  another  in  Kentucky  and 
buy  pies  in  Virginia.  We  passed  through  Tazewell,  Tenn.,  a 
nice  little  village,  and  crossed  the  Clinch  River  just  beyond. 
In  crossing  the  mountain  before  reaching  Morristown  we  en 
countered  the  worst  roads  ever  experienced.  The  troops  and 
heavy  supply  trains  were  sent  around  through  the  Gap  and 
the  wagons  that  made  the  trip  over  the  mountains  were  let 
down  by  ropes  fastened  to  the  hind  axles  and  around  trees 
to  control  their  descent.  Our  route  from  Morristown  led 
through  Strawberry  Plains  and  Panther  Springs.  On  the 
28th  Knoxville  was  reached  and  all  hands  prepared  to  make 
themselves  comfortable.  We  had  now  been  nineteen  days 
on  the  march,  and  had  traveled  two  hundred  and  twenty-one 


124  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

miles  and  were  in  good  trim,  but  not  overly  anxious  for  any 
more  marching".  On  the  2gth  Generals  Burnside  and  Parke 
rode  through  the  camp  and  were  cheered  by  the  tired  men. 
A  visit  through  Knoxville  was  made  in  a  few  days,  and 
we  found  everything  up  to  our  taste  and  as  good  as  we  de 
served  or  expected.  We  had  a  breathing  spell  here  until  the 
morning  of  October  4th,  when  orders  were  received  to  have 
our  brigade  in  readiness  to  move  at  9  a.  m.  At  noon,  we  were 


General  Robert  B.  Potter 
Wounded  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  April  2,  1865. 

on  the  cars,  going  toward  Morristown;  reached  there  at 
8  p.  m.,  and  camped  for  the  night.  Next  morning  we  marched 
to  Lick  Creek  and  remained  until  the  loth,  when  we  again  took 
up  our  line  of  march,  preceded  by  a  brigade  of  cavalry  and 
the  first  division  of  our  corps.  Arrived  at  Blue  Springs  at 
i  p.  m.,  where  we  found  the  enemy,  variously  estimated  at 
from  four  to  ten  thousand  strong,  the  advance  skirmishing 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  125 

with  them.  An  order  was  received  from  Gen.  Robt.  Potter, 
commanding  the  corps,  to  lead  forward  the  largest  regiment 
in  the  brigade  to  occupy  a  hill  on  our  right  flank  and  front. 

BLUE    SPRINGS 

The  48th  was  at  once  sent  forward  at  a  double  quick  and 
then  the  2ist  Massachusetts  to  support  a  battery.  As  soon 
as  we  got  near  the  woods,  a  charge  was  made  and  we  drove  the 
enemy  back,  killing  and  wounding  quite  a  number  and  taking 
a  number  of  prisoners.  Aft?r  driving-  the  rebels  from  this  point 
— it  was  getting  dark  and  the  country  being  hilly  and  thickly 
wooded,  the  conflict  ceased  for  the  night.  Next  morning, 
when  our  pickets  advanced,  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
enemy  had  left  during  the  night.  Pursuit  was  at  once  ordered, 
and  we  followed  them  for  twenty  miles,  stopping  to  rest  but 
twice  in  all  that  distance,  and  then  but  a  few  minutes.  This 
was  probably  the  hottest  marching  day  the  regiment  ever 
experienced.  We  went  into  camp  a  few  miles  above  Reatown. 
During  the  night  a  farmer  in  the  neighborhood  lost  a  large 
bee-hive  filled  with  honey,  which  was  brought  into  camp  on  a 
stretcher,  covered  with  a  shelter  tent,  and,  when  challenged 
at  brigade  headquarters,  as  to  what  was  being  carried  past, 
the  reply  was,  "A  wounded  man;  we  are  taking  him  to  the 
field  hospital." 

"The  Commander"  publishes  another  order  in  last  Saturday's 
Lexington  (Ky.)  Loyalist.  It  is  as  follows: 

HEADQUARTERS,  LAND  OF   PIES  'N   THINGS,   PORK,   SORGHUM,   SNUFF- 
EATERS  AND  REFUGEES. 

October  21,  1863. 
General  Orders: 

The  "Commander"  desires  to  praise  in  the  highest  terms  the  celerity 
of  movement  shown  by  the  soldiers  under  his  command  in  the  recent 
pursuit  after  (a  long  way  after)  the  rebels  in  the  direction  of  Jonesboro. 
The  pine-knots  can  out-march  an  empty  forage-train  or  an  ambulance 
with  perfect  ease.  Neither  are  cavalry  nor  mounted  infantry  at  all  to 
be  compared  with  them.  On  the  march  from  Blue  Springs  to  Bull's 
Gap  they  actually  came  in  ten  minutes  ahead  of  a  steam  engine,  after  a 
fair  start,  and  didn't  puff  half  as  much  as  the  engine,  either.  Your 
Commander  congratulates  you  on  your  improvement  in  the  art — 


126  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

pedestrian.  You  are  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee!  Your  Commander 
believes  that  with  proper  practice  you  may  be  able  in  a  short  time  to 
eclipse  all  your  former  feats  and  beat  the  telegraph  in  a  fair  race. 
When  that  degree  of  proficiency  is  attained  you  will  be  sent  after  the 
rebels  again.  Experience  having  taught  that  unless  you  can  attain  that 
speed,  pursuit  is  useless — as  well  pursue  the  "fleeting  phantom  of  a 
dream." 

II.  All  venders  of  pies  'n  things  (if  the  short'ning  is  put  in  cross- 
ways)   will  receive  every  encouragement  at  "these  headquarters,"  and 
will  be  treated  with  the  respect  due  to  distinguished  refugees.      But  all 
biscuits  and  pies  'n  things  with  the  short'ning  put  in  lengthwise  are 
contraband  of  war.      The  "rally"  will  be  beaten  on  the  appearance  of 
any  impostor  in  camp  attempting  to  palm  off  the  spurious  article  on 
the  innocent  and  unsuspecting  (oh!)  troops  of  this  command. 

III.  East  Tennessee  is  a  very  desirable  place  of  residence,  but 
looks  best  at  a  distance;    therefore: 

IV.  The  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  will  immediately 
take  up  its  line  of  march  for  Lexington,  Ky.,  with  twenty-six  (26)  days 
rations  in  haversacks — subject  to  the  approval  of  Maj.  Gen.  Burnside. 

No  fresh  pork  or  apple-jack  will  be  transported  in  the  teams,  as 
those  articles  can  be  obtained  in  sufficient  quantities  along  the  road. 
By  command  of  THE  COMMANDER. 

We  passed  through  the  village  of  Greenville,  Term.,  made 
famous  first  by  being  the  home  of  President  Johnson,  and 
afterwards  as  the  scene  of  the  death  of  the  rebel  general,  John 
H.  Morgan,  who  was  killed  in  Mrs.  William's  cabbage  patch 
some  time  after  our  visit  there.  We  could  not  catch  up  to  the 
rebel  army;  they  ran  too  fast  for  us,  and  we  were  ordered  to 
return  to  Knoxville.  We  marched  to  Morristown,  and  took 
cars  from  there  to  Knoxville,  having,  in  eleven  days,  marched 
over  seventy  miles  and  ridden  in  cars  over  ninety. 

STRAW  VOTING  FOR  CURTIN 

While  in  camp  near  Greenville,  on  October  i3th,  the 
troops  took  a  vote  for  Governor.  In  the  48th,  Curtin  had 
264,  Woodward  none;  in  the  45th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
Curtin  268,  Woodward  14.  Every  officer  and  soldier  entitled 
to  vote  in  the  48th  did  so  with  but  one  single  exception.  An 
drew  G.  Curtin  was  a  very  popular  man  among  the  soldiers; 
it  was  but  a  short  time  after  this  that  Curtin's  election  was 
announced.  Our  vote  didn't  count;  it  was  only  taken  to  get 
the  sentiment. 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  127 

The  75,000  soldiers  in  the  field  from  Pennsylvania  were 
generally  devoted  to  Curtin.  They  had  learned  to  speak  of  him 
as  the  "Soldiers'  Friend."  Every  Pennsylvanian  in  the  field, 
however  humble,  who  addressed  the  Governor  on  any  subject, 
however  trivial,  received  a  prompt  answer  bearing  the  Gov 
ernor's  signature;  and  he  always  heartily  aided  the  soldier's 
wishes  or  fully  explained  why  they  could  not  be  acceded  to. 
The  Pennsylvania  soldier,  sick  or  wounded  in  a  hospital,  even 
though  far  off  in  the  Southwest,  felt  the  sympathetic  touch  of 
Curtin's  devotion  to  the  soldiers  by  the  kind  ministrations  of 
the  Governor's  special  agents  assigned  to  the  task  of  caring 
for  the  helpless  in  the  field.  He  had  announced  his  purpose 
to  have  the  State  declare  the  orphans  of  our  fallen  soldiers 
to  be  the  wards  of  the  Commonwealth,  a  promise  that  was 
more  than  generously  fulfilled,  and  the  Pennsylvania  soldiers 
killed  on  the  field,  or  dying  from  sickness  or  wounds,  were 
always  taken  possession  of  by  officials  representing  the  pa 
triotic  philanthropy  of  the  Governor,  and  their  bodies  brought 
home,  at  the  expense  of  the  State,  for  sepulture  with  their 
loved  ones  at  home. 

Thus  had  Curtin  not  only  won  the  personal  affection  of 
Pennsylvania  soldiers  by  his  practical  devotion  to  their  in 
terests,  but  he  was  known  to  be  in  earnest  sympathy  with  their 
cause,  and  even  Democratic  soldiers,  of  whom  there  were 
many,  believed  that  the  issue  directly  affected  their  attitude 
as  soldiers  and  the  care  of  the  State  for  themselves  and  their 
families,  and  their  party  prejudices  largely  perished.  These 
Pennsylvania  soldiers  were  disfranchised  when  the  "Soldiers' 
Friend"  was  upon  trial  before  the  people  of  the  State  for  the 
continuance  of  his  loyal  and  humane  Administration.  The 
election  was  held  early  in  October,  a  period  very  favorable 
for  military  operations,  and  it  was  not  possible  to  expect  any 
considerable  number  of  them  to  be  furloughed  home  to  vote. 

The  great  problem  that  Chairman  Wayne  Mac- 
Veagh  had  to  solve  was  how  to  bring  the  influence  of  the 
disfranchised  soldiers  in  the  field  into  practical  effect  upon 
the  fathers,  brothers  and  immediate  friends  at  home.  There 
were  very  few  families  in  the  State  which  were  not  more  or 


128  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

less  directly  interested  in  individual  soldiers  in  the  field.  Most 
of  them  had  fathers,  sons' or  brothers  offering  their  lives  in  the 
flame  of  battle  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  the 
hearts  of  every  one  at  home,  of  fathers,  mothers,  sons  and 
daughters,  brothers  and  sisters,  were  ever  thoughtful  of  their 
friends  at  the  front,  and  ready  to  do  anything  within  their 
power  to  add  to  their  comfort  and  strengthen  their  hopes  of 
success.  One  of  the  duties  performed  by  Chairman  Mac- 
Veagh's  committee  was  to  ascertain  every  Democratic  family 
that  was  immediately  represented  in  the  field,  and  there  were 
thousands  of  Pennsylvania  soldiers,  officers  and  privates,  who 
needed  no  special  appeal  to  make  them  take  up  the  cause  of 
the  "Soldiers'  Friend"  in  the  contest.  In  their  midst,  around 
the  camp-fire,  the  question  was  discussed  by  the  Pennsylvania 
soldiers,  and,  certainly,  three-fourths  of  them  sent  home  the 
most  urgent  appeals  to  their  fathers,  brothers  and  friends  to 
vote  to  sustain  the  patriotic  and  philanthropic  Governor  of  the 
State  as  a  matter  of  duty  in  support  of  the  soldiers'  cause. 
Not  only  did  the  soldiers  appeal  to  the  members  of  their 
immediate  families,  but  to  their  many  personal  friends  whom 
they  knew  at  home,  .and  the  result  was  a  mute,  but  omnipotent, 
expression  from  our  soldiers  in  the  field  to  their  relatives  and 
friends  at  home,  that  turned  the  scales  and  made  Pennsylvania, 
with  not  less  than  thirty  thousand  majority  of  Democratic 
voters  at  the  polls,  re-elect  Curtin  by  over  fifteen  thousand 
majority. 

SOLDIERS   GIVEN    THE   SUFFRAGE 

Curtin  had  also  strengthened  his  cause  with  the  soldiers 
by  pressing  upon  the  Legislature  of  1863,  that  had  adjourned 
before  he  was  renominated,  an  amendment  to  the  State  Con 
stitution,  authorizing  the  soldiers  to  vote  in  the  field,  and  it 
had  been  passed  by  both  branches,  but  without  cordial  support 
from  the  Democratic  party.  It  was  well  understood  that,  if 
the  Republicans  carried  the  Legislature  at  the  election  of 
1863,  the  new  Legislature,  to  meet  in  January,  1864,  would 
pass  the  proposed  amendment  the  second  time,  as  required 
by  the  fundamental  law,  and  thus  bring  about  the  right  of  the 
soldiers  to  vote  in  the  field.  The  Republicans  carried  the 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  129 

Legislature  along  with  Curtin;  the  proposed  amendment  to 
the  Constitution,  relating  to  soldier  suffrage,  was  promptly 
passed,  and  a  special  election  was  called  for  by  the  Legisla 
ture  for  its  ratification  by  the  people  in  midsummer,  so  that, 
at  the  Presidential  election  of  1864,  the  soldiers  were  given 
the  right  of  suffrage  in  the  field. 

Clipping  from  the  Miners'  Journal: 

HEADQUARTERS  IST  BRIG.,  2D  Div.,  PTH  A.  G, 

KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,  Oct.  17,  1863. 

EDS.  Miners'  Journal:  On  the  morning  of  the  4th  inst,  at  eight 
o'clock,  I  received  orders  to  have  my  brigade  in  readiness  to  move  at 
nine  o'clock;  in  obedience  to  orders,  we  were  ready,  and  at  i2l/2  o'clock 
p.  m.,  on  the  cars  for  Bull's  Gap.  Reached  there  at  eight  o'clock  in 
the  evening — bivouacked  for  the  night.  Next  morning  we  marched  to 
Lick  Creek,  where  we  encamped  (if  I  may  so  call  it,  for  we  had  no 
tents  with  us)  and  remained  until  the  loth,  when  we  again  took  up  our 
line  of  march,  preceded  by  a  brigade  of  cavalry  and  the  first  division 
of  our  corps.  Arrived  at  Blue  Springs  at  one  o'clock  that  afternoon, 
when  we  found  the  enemy  variously  estimated  at  from  four  to  ten 
thousand  strong,  and  the  advance  skirmishing  with  them.  I  received  an 
order  from  Gen.  R.  B.  Potter,  commanding  the  corps,  to  send  forward 
the  largest  regiment  in  my  brigade  at  once  to  occupy  a  hill  on*  our  right 
flank  and  front.  I  at  once  ordered  the  48th  forward  at  a  double-quick, 
and  next  I  sent  the  2ist  Massachusetts  forward  to  support  a  battery.  By 
order  of  Gen.  Burnside  the  first  division  was  formed  in  two  lines  of 
battle,  and  the  2d  Maryland,  of  my  command,  on  the  left  of  the  front 
line,  in  which  position  we  remained  for  an  hour  or  so,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  advance,  and  the  2d  Maryland  posted  on  a  hill  to  the  left 
of  the  48th.  After  the  first  division  advanced  about  a  mile,  they  again 
formed  in  line  of  battle  under  cover  of  the  woods,  perhaps  five  hundred 
yards  from  the  enemy,  and  then  advanced  on  the  enemy's  strong  position 
on  a  hill  and  in  the  woods.  Soon  as  they  got  nearly  up  to  the  woods 
they  made  a  charge — drove  the  enemy,  killing  and  wounding  quite  a 
number,  and  taking  some  few  prisoners.  Several  of  the  cavalry  officers 
who  saw  the  charge  made,  remarked  that  they  never  saw  any  troopb 
equal  the  Ninth  Corps — that  those  men  advanced  in  line  without  a 
waver,  into  what  they  at  that  time  considered  certain  death,  as  though 
there  was  no  enemy  near.  After  driving  the  rebels  from  this  point  it 
was  getting  dusk,  and  the  country  being  very  hilly,  and  a  great  deal  of 
timber  land,  the  conflict  ceased  for  the  night.  Next  morning  when  our 
pickets  advanced,  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  enemy  left  under 
cover  of  night.  We  were  at  once  ordered  to  pursue  them;  the  cavalry 
and  a  few  batteries  were  sent  in  our  advance,  and  we  followed  as 


130  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

rapidly  as  possible  for  twenty  miles,  during  which  time  we  only 
stopped  to  rest  twice,  and  that  only  for  a  very  short  time.  Went  into 
camp  at  dusk,  three  miles  above  Reatown;  our  cavalry  being  some 
ten  miles  in  our  advance,  but  as  yet  had  not  caught  up  to  the  rebels. 
They  had  some  seven  hours'  start  of  us,  and  when  their  infantry  got 
above  where  we  were  now  encamped,  they  took  the  cars.  Gen.  Burnside 
concluded  that  it  was  useless  for  the  infantry  to  pursue  them  further, 
and  we  were  permitted  to  rest  here,  the  cavalry  still  following  them  up. 
The  last  I  heard  of  them  they  had  got  as  far  as  Bristol,  which  is  on 
the  Virginia  line,  and  only  twenty-five  miles  from  the  Salt  Works,  when 
they  had  a  little  brush  with  the  enemy  and  routed  them.  We  remained 
here  all  day,  and  on  the  I3th  we  started  for  this  place,  leaving  some 
troops  under  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  O.  B.  Wilcox,  about  two  miles 
above  Greenville,  where  they  still  remain.  We  came  fourteen  miles 
when  we  expected  to  take  the  cars,  but  the  railroad  being  so  very  poor 
at  this  end  of  the  line,  Gen.  Burnside  sent  an  order  for  the  corps  to 
march  to  Morristown,  and  then  take  the  cars.  I  left  camp  with  my 
brigade  on  the  morning  of  the  I4th,  at  7  o'clock,  marched  nineteen  miles, 
when  I  encamped  for  the  night.  The  first  division  did  not  start  as 
early,  and  encamped  five  miles  further  back.  Left  again  next  morning 
at  seven  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Morristown  at  eleven  o'clock.  Em 
barked  on  train  which  was  in  waiting,  and  reached  our  present  camp  at 
six  o'clock  the  same  evening.  Going  and  coming  the  distance  is  173 
miles — traveled  ninety-seven  on  cars  and  seventy-six  on  foot. 

Yeste'rday  Parson  Brownlow  and  family  arrived  here.  They  were 
very  warmly  greeted  on  their  arrival  here  by  their  numerous  friends. 
I  understand  he  is  to  address  the  people  of  Knoxville  on  next  Friday 
afternoon  at  the  Court  House. 

I  will  now  give  you  the  result  of  a  vote  taken  for  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania  near  Greenville,  Tenn.,  October  13,  1863,  by  the  legal 
voters  in  the  48th  and  45th  Regiments,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers: 
Curtin— 48th  Reg.,  P.  V.,  264;  45th  Reg.,  P.  V.,  268;  total,  522.  Wood 
ward— 48th  Reg.,  P.  V.,  none ;  45th  Reg.,  P.  V.,  14 ;  total,  14. 

I  would  here  state  that  every  officer  and  soldier  present  with  the 
regiment  entitled  to  vote  did  so,  with  one  exception.  A  number  were 
left  in  camp  when  we  started  on  our  march,  and  some  doing  duty  away 
from  the  regiment.  Had  they  been  with  us  it  would  not  have  altered 
the  result,  but  would  have  increased  the  vote  for  the  "Soldiers'  Friend." 

The  soldier  has  cast  party  issues  aside.  The  only  question  he  asks 
is,  who  is  our  friend  and  the  friend  of  the  cause  we  are  fighting  for? 
Is  he  the  one  who  says  the  soldier  who  is  fighting  to  sustain  the  laws 
and  uphold  the  Government  shall  not  vote?  The  48th  Regiment  to  a 
man,  answers,  No!  The  soldier  justly  believes  and  contends  that  if 
any  one  is  entitled  to  a  vote  it  is  he  who  is  willing  to  leave  family, 
friends,  and  all  the  comforts  of  home,  and  if  need  be,  die  in  sustaining 
and  in  carrying  out  the  laws.  Are  those  men  not  better  calculated,  and 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  131 

have  they  not  a  better  right  and  a  stronger  claim  to  the  right  of  suffrage 
than  the  Copperheads?  The  one  is  doing  all  he  can  to  sustain  the 
Government,  while  the  other  is  trying  to  destroy  it;  yet  the  decision 
by  the  aspirant  to  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  Pennsylvania  is,  that  the 
one  who  is  willing  to  fight  to  put  down  this  infernal  rebellion  and 
carry  out  the  laws,  he  "is  disfranchised,  while  the  other  is  permitted  to 
vote.  Shame !  shame !  on  any  one  that  would  advocate  or  even  hint 
at  such  an  infamous  doctrine.  But  I  cannot  believe  that  the  good 
people  of  the  old  Keystone  State  will  elect  Woodward  in  place  of  Curtin, 
our  tried,  true  and  faithful  .friend  of  the  Government  and  its  soldiers. 
With  the  hope  soon  to  hear  of  the  re-election  of  Governor  A.  G.  Curtin 
by  an  overwhelming  majority,  I  am,  Yours,  &c., 

J.  K.  S. 

P.  S. — Just  as  I  was  going  to  mail  this  I  was  greeted  with  the 
glorious  news  that  Governor  A.  G.  Curtin  was  re-elected  by  a  majority 
of  over  twenty  thousand.  Had  the  opponent  of  the  "Soldiers'  Friend" 
not  debarred  those  in  the  army  from  voting,  it  would  have  been  sixty 
instead  of  twenty  thousand;  but  the  result  as  it  is  is  a  rebuke  to  all 
traitors  in  our  rear  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  them.  Ohio  has 
also  spoken  in  tones  of  thunder.  -Where  does  Vallandigham  stand 
to-day?  The  people  have  decided  that  he  is  a  traitor,  and  that  all 
traitors,  whether  North  or  South,  shall  be  crushed  and  brought  to 
submit  to  the  laws  of  the  land.  Your  vote  on  last  Tuesday  has  given 
new  life  to  the  soldier  and  given  him  more  encouragement  than  any 
victory  that  has  been  achieved  since  the  commencement  of  this  war. 

J.  K.  S. 
SIEGE  OF  KNOXVILLE,  TENN. 

On  the  22nd  we  were  sent  by  rail  to  Loudon,  below 
Knoxville,  and  remained  there  until  the  28th,  when  it  was 
learned  that  Longstreet  had  been  sent  with  a  large  body  of 
troops  from  Chattanooga  to  capture  Burnside  and  his  entire 
army. 

When  General  Longstreet  crossed  the  Tennessee  River, 
some  seven  miles  below  Loudon,  his  whole  available  force 
amounted  to  about  28,000  men;  while  General  Burnside's 
total  efficient  force  was  but  little  over  8,000,  consisting  of 
the  remains  of  the  much  decimated  9th  Army  Corps  and  a 
few  regiments  of  western  six  months'  troops,  designated  the 
23rd  Army  Corps,  who  had  seen  no  active  service  of  any 
account.  The  rebels  were  in  fine  condition;  healthy,  well  clad, 
and  well  fed.  Longstreet  had  much  advantage  over  Burn- 
side,  having  railroad  communication  from  Chattanooga  to 


132  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Loudon,  being-  well  supplied  with  food,  clothing  and  ammuni 
tion,  and  outnumbering  Burnside  three  to  one;  while  the 
latter  lacked  all  these,  and  had  nothing  but  the  courage  of  his 
old  corps,  the  9th,  practically,  to  sustain  him.  Longstreet  and 
Burnside's  men  were  destined,  apparently,  to  meet  in  battle, 
for  they  opposed  each  other  in  Virginia  in  1862,  Tennessee  in 
1863-4,  and  again  in  Virginia  in  1864-5. 

Orders  were  given  to  fall  back  to  Knoxville.  On  the 
morning  of  October  27th,  a  portion  of  Longstreet's  men 
occupied  Loudon,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  our  forces 
having  withdrawn  on  their  approach,  taking  up  our  pontoon 
bridge,  which  had  served  to  connect  both  banks,  after  having 
run  at  full  speed  an  engine  and  four  freight  cars  into  the 
river,  where  the  bridge  had  been  destroyed,  to  prevent  their 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Next  morning,  the  28th, 
we  fell  back  towards  Knoxville,  reaching  Lenoir  Station  on 
the  morning  of  the  29th.  Here  we  remained  in  camp,  awaiting 
the  movements  of  the  enemy  until  the  morning  of  the  I4th 
of  November,  when  we  moved  back  towards  Loudon,  reaching* 
there  on  the  I5th.  During  the  morning  the  23rd  Army  Corps 
commenced  skirmishing  with  the  rebels.  Our  brigade,  the 
1st,  soon  relieved  these  new  troops,  with  orders  to  hold  the 
enemy  in  check  long  enough  to  enable  the  artillery  and 
wagon-trains  time  to  fall  back,  on  account  of  the  bad  condi 
tions  of  the  roads,  the  result  of  heavy  and  continued  rains. 
This  being  accomplished,  we  fell  back  slowly  about  4  p.  m.,  and 
was  relieved  by  the  2nd  Brigade  of  our  division.  About  6 
p.  m.  we  again  reached  Lenoir.  Then  commenced  our 
constant  movement  towards  Knoxville,  marching  by  night  and 
fighting  by  day,  the  object  being  two-fold:  to  retard  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  to  Knoxville,  and  to  save  our  trains 
and  artillery,  the  roads  being  so  bad  that  the  latter  was  only 
saved  through  the  aid  of  the  infantry. 

We  passed  Lenoir's  without  being  molested  by  the  enemy, 
but  at  Campbell's  Station  the  supply  and  ammunition  trains 
were  somewhat  slow  in  getting  over  the  muddy  roads,  and  the 
rebels  were  pressing  us  pretty  hard  and  a  line  of  battle  was 
formed  to  check  the  advance  of  the  enemy  until  the  trains 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  133 

should  be  at  a  safe  distance.  Maj.  Gilmour  was  in  command 
of  the  regiment  and  Col.  Sigfried  in  temporary  command  of 
1st  Brigade,  2nd  Division.  To  him  the  task  of  checking  the 
enemy's  advance  was  given,  and  he  had  scarcely  got  his  cavalry 
skirmishers  forward  the  required  distance  until  they  became 
engaged.  It  was  a  critical  point  and  was  stubbornly  pressed. 
The  engagement  continued  during  the  entire  day,  beginning 
early,  and  ending  only  when  darkness  rendered  it  impossible 
to  distinguish  friend  from  foe. 

CAMPBELL'S    STATION 

In  the  engagement  of  Campbell's  Station  a  fine  view  of 
a  battlefield  was  presented.  The  field  was  clear  for  many 
miles  around,  so  that  from  the  elevations  interspersed 
throughout  the  surrounding  country,  the  opposing  forces 
could  view  each  other's  movements  without  any  difficulty. 
The  battle  was  skillfully  conducted,  and,  though  Longstreet 
was  watchful  to  take  advantage  of  any  false  move  upon  the 
part  of  our  commanding  officers,  he  was  baffied  and  at  night 
had  gained  no  advantage.  Our  losses  in  this  engagement 
were  very  slight  and  the  retreat  was  resumed  after  dark  and 
Knoxville  was  reached  on  the  morning  of  the  I7th.  Having 
arrived  in  the  city,  preparations  were  at  once  commenced  to 
fortify  the  place.  The  pick  and  shovel  were  used  to  great 
advantage,  and  the  city  was  soon  encircled  with  a  strong  line 
of  earthworks  extending  from  the  Holston  River  below  the 
city,  clean  around  it  to  a  point  on  the  same  river  above.  Many 
dwellings  that  presented  a  good  view  of  the  country,  looking 
toward  the  rebel  lines,  were  destroyed.  A  pontoon  bridge 
spanned  the  river  opposite  the  city,  by  which  communication 
was  kept  up  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  forage  for  the  horses 
and  mules.  This  portion  of  the  country  had  not  been  visited 
by  either  army  to  any  great  extent,  and  was  pretty  rich  in  corn 
and  oats.  Our  forage  trains  made  daily  trips  across  into  the 
surrounding  country,  a  train  of  eight  or  ten  six-mule  teams, 
in  charge  of  a  forage  master,  with  a  driver  and  guard  of  two 
men  to  each  wagon,  would  proceed  out  into  the  country  for  a 
distance,  where  forage  was  to  be  had,  and  would  drive  up  to 


134  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Long  Jim  Davis'  corn  crib  and  halt.  The  forage  master 
approached  the  owner  of  the  plantation  and  announced  his 
business.  Long  Jim  would  usually  say  he  did  not  have  suf 
ficient  corn  to  feed  "his  critters"  till  next  "crap"-making  time, 
and  didn't  see  how  he  could  spare  any  of  his  corn,  but  "Tad 
Bogle  lived  right  out  thar  at  Lyburn's  Mill,  had  a  big  planta 
tion  and  a  right  smart  lot  of  corn  and  not  as  many  critters  to 
care  for." 

The  forage  master  experienced  this  at  every  plantation 
he  visited.  He  didn't  care  much  about  objections  of  this  kind, 
but  didn't  like  a  safeguard  stuck  under  his  nose  when  about 
to  load  his  wagons.  This  is  a  document  given  by  a  general, 
protecting  a  resident's  property  from  all  comers.  To  break 
a  safeguard  is  cause  for  severe  punishment.  After  the  pre 
liminaries  were  concluded,  the  wagons  were  arranged  along 
the  corn  cribs  and  as  much  of  the  grain  taken  as  in  the  forage 
master's  judgment  the  farmer  should  part  with.  A  receipt 
was  given  for  every  bushel,  and  if  he  provided  any  meals  or 
lodging  to  the  foraging  party,  this  receipt  would  include 
allowance  for  it  by  increasing  the  number  of  bushels  of  corn, 
according  to  the  value.  When  we  were  first  besieged  in  the 
city  we  received  fairly  good  wheat  bread,  but  each  day  it  grew 
worse  and  less  of  it,  and,  finally,  the  troops  were  living  prin 
cipally  upon  corn  meal.  It  was  200  miles  across  the  mountains 
to  Nicholasville,  which  was  the  nearest  point  for  supplies,  and 
the  wagon  trains  made  very  few  trips,  owing  to  the  great 
distance,  poor  roads  and  the  frequency  of  attacks  by  guerillas. 
The  road  from  Nicholasville  to  Knoxville  was  lined  with  dead 
mules  and  broken  wagons  in  consequence  thereof.  We  were 
subsisting  almost  upon  "wind  pudding,"  no  coffee,  or  sugar, 
and  but  little  salt.  Fort  Saunders  had  been  erected  just  on 
the  edge  of  the  city,  and  a  large  ditch  was  dug  around  the  side 
towards  the  enemy,  and  outside  the  ditch  stakes  had  been 
driven  into  the  ground  firmly  and  left  protrude  about  ten  or 
twelve  inches,  and  then  telegraph  wires  were  strung  to  the 
tops  of  the  stakes.  This  fort  was  occupied  by  Lieutenant 
Benjamin's  Regular  Battery  of  six  2Opound  Parrot  guns,  the 
1 5th  Indiana  Battery  of  six  lo-pound  Parrot  guns,  and  several 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  135 

companies  of  infantry,  the  79th  Regiment  of  N.  Y.  High 
landers,  who  picketed  in  front  of  the  fort,  and  whose  orders 
were,  in  case  of  an  attack  upon  the  fort,  to  break  to  the  right 
and  left,  fall  back  into  the  fort  and  protect  the  gunners,  thus 
leaving  an  open  space  in  front  for  the  play  of  the  guns. 

FORT  SAUNDERS 

Just  before  daybreak  on  Sunday,  the  29th  of  November, 
the  rebels  made  a  fierce  charge  upon  this  work.  It  was  quite 
unexpected  just  at  this  time,  but  the  guard  alarmed  the 
garrison  of  the  fort,  and  they  were  soon  prepared  to  welcome 
the  intruders.  When  they  reached  the  wires,  previously 
spoken  of,  they  were  tripped  up  and  fell  over  one  another  in 
the  dim  light  of  daybreak,  the  lines  became  terribly  broken 
up  and  in  confusion.  Some  adventurous  spirits  reached  the 
ramparts,  only  to  be  bayonetted  by  the  troops.  Others  rolled 
headlong  into  the  ditch.  The  line  to  the  right  and  left  of 
Saunders  enfiladed  them.  The  battery  could  not  serve  their 
guns  to  any  great  extent,  but  cut  short  fuse  in  their  shells  and 
used  them  as  hand  grenades,  lighting  the  fuse  and  tossing 
them  into  the  ditch. 

The  regimental  poet  says: 

"The  rebels  made  a  bold  advance,  to  bag  us  they  intended, 
And  up  the  hill  on  double  quick  their  chivalry  ascended ; 
The  battery's  fire  and  Burnside's  wire  caused  some  of  them  to  stumble, 
And  head  and  heels  into  our  ditch  like  bullfrogs  did  they  tumble. 
Our  boys  did  on  them  quickly  fall,  amid  their  great  confusion, 
Resolved  that  they  should  pay  the  cost  for  such  a  bold  intrusion ; 
And  my  friends,  if  I  have  received  the  proper  information, 
The  rebs  will  never  charge  again  who  charged  on  that  occasion." 

The  enemy  pressed  on;  they  cut  away  the  abatis;  they 
filled  the  ditch,  and  a  few  made  their  way  to  the  top  of  the 
parapet.  There  a  terrible  hand-to-hand  contest  ensued; 
clubbed  muskets,  bayonets,  sabres,  even  spades  and  axes  were 
employed  in  the  dreadful  work,  and  not  a  score  of  the  brave 
storming  party  escaped.  A  sortie  was  made  on  the  rear  of 
the  assaulting  column,  which  faltered,  stopped  and  at  last 


136  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

retreated  in  great  confusion.      General  Longstreet  lost,  that 
day,  upwards  of  one  thousand  men. 

The  engagement  was  altogether  in  favor  of  the  Union 
side,  and  was  soon  terminated.  The  field  in  front  of  the  fort 
was  thickly  strewn  with  the  misguided  men  in  gray,  and  a 
great  many  were  made  prisoners.  A  flag  of  truce  came  from 
Longstreet  the  next  day  for  permission  to  bury  their  dead. 
The  request  was  granted  and  the  duty  performed. 

Sergeant  Wells  says: 

"During  the  siege  of  Knoxville  the  enemy  frequently 
attempted  to  drive  in  our  pickets,  who  were  posted  in  the 
outskirts  of  the  city  on  the  "plain"  or  level  portion  where 
the  houses,  mostly  of  wood,  had  been  burned  to  prevent 
Longstreet's  men  getting  shelter,  should  they  advance 
nearer  to  our  works,  situated  on  a  low  elevation  within  the 
East  Tennessee  and  Virginia  Railroad.  On  one  occasion, 
the  night  being  dark  and  stormy,  the  pickets  of  the  enemy 
advanced  rapidly,  and,  though,  our  pickets  when  hard 
pressed,  retreated  from  chimney  to  chimney  of  the  burned 
houses,  tried  hard  to  hold  their  ground,  they  were  slowly 
forced  back  to  the  shelter  of  the  main  line,  notwithstanding 
the  heroic  efforts  of  that  gallant  officer,  Major  Gilmour,  to 
prevent  it.  Later  in  the  night  he  forced  their  line  back 
some  distance,  but  could  not  entirely  recover  his  position. 

"The  following  morning  at  day-dawn,  Col.  J.  K.  Sigfried, 
of  the  48th  Pa.,  temporarily  commanding  the  brigade,  led  an 
attack  upon  the  entire  rebel  picket-line,  the  48th  being  a  part 
of  the  attacking  column. 

THE    ADVENTURE    OF    COMPANY    F. 

"During  the  night  the  rebel  pickets  had  intrenched  a 
portion  of  the  ground  captured,  and  many  of  them  had 
occupied  some  houses  that  had  not  been  burned.  The 
advance  was  rapid  until  the  enemy  w^as  met ;  then  ensued  a 
hand-to-hand  battle,  the  greatest  difficulty  being  to  dislodge 
them  from  the  houses.  The  entire  line  was  soon  recaptured, 
but,  in  the  advance,  Qaptain  Hosking's  Co.  "F,"  of  the  48th, 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  137 

not  hearing  the  command  to  halt,  advanced  with  others, 
beyond  the  old  picket  line  and  found  themselves  in  or  near 
a  cemetery  when  they  were  almost  up  to  the  rebel  line  and 
almost  within  their  grasp.  The  rest  of  the  line  fell  back, 
the  ground  favoring  the  movement,  but  Co.  "F"  was  so 
stationed  that  any  concerted  attempt  to  retire  would  have 
endangered  them  to  attack  and  probably  capture.  In  this 
dilemma,  Captain  Hoskings  wisely  remained  where  he  was 
until  the  excitement  of  battle  had  ceased  or  until  night 
should  favor  his  removal  in  darkness.  The  enemy  knew  his 
position  and  hoped,  evidently,  to  affect  his  capture,  should 
occasion  offer.  After  waiting  for  hours,  he  spoke  to  his 
men  and  told  them  his  plan.  He  said  that  but  one  man  at  a 
time  should  go  out,  he  himself  to  be  the  last.  The  distance 
was  short,  but  over  rising  ground.  He  warned  them  that 
'brave  men  respect  brave  men/  and  if  each  man  leisurely 
walked  out,  showing  no  fear,  nor  looking  back,  he  would 
probably  not  be  molested;  but,  on  the  contrary,  any  exhibi 
tion  of  speed  or  fear  may  cause  the  rebel  pickets  to  fire 
upon  them.  His  plan  was  adopted  and  worked  well  until 
some  fellow  got  "weak  in  the  knees,"  when  the  "Johnnies" 
would  laugh  and  fire,  evidently  not  intending  to  kill,  but 
crying  "Run,  Yank,  run."  In  this  way  all  got  out  except 
the  Captain.  The  writer  never  saw  him  so  cool  as  upon  this 
occasion,  for,  when  he  came  out,  he  walked  leisurely  and 
deliberately,  and,  when  upon  the  rise,  he  as  deliberately 
halted,  turned  about,  and  looked  towards  the  "Johnnies," 
who  cheered  his  brave  act;  he  then  lifted  his  cap  in  salute 
and  continued  his  walk.  There  were  in  the  48th,  as  in  all 
regiments,  officers  equally  as  cool  and  brave,  and  enlisted 
men,  too;  still  it  is  no  disparagement  of  others  to  do  justice 
to  a  brave  officer,  who  not  only  cared  for  the  lives  of  his 
men,  but  showed  them  by  his  own  act  he  was  just  what  he 
wanted  them  to  be." 

At  the  attack  on  Fort  Saunders,  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
November  29th,  1863,  our  troops  gained  a  great  victory. 
Lieutenant  Samuel  Benjamin,  of  the  2nd  U.  S.  Artillery,  had 
less  than  250  men  in  the  fort,  and  he  took  250  prisoners, 


138  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

unhurt,  seventeen  of  them  officers ;  over  200,  dead  and 
wounded,  lay  in  the  ditch,  among  them  being  three  Colonels ; 
also  captured  1000  stand  of  arms  and  three  colors. 

HOPES  OF  HELP  AND  COFFEE 

We  now  began  to  have  rumors  that  Grant  was  sending 
reinforcements  to  us  from  Chattanooga,  and  oh!  how  anxious 
we  were  to  see  them,  not  that  we  wanted  their  help  to  fight 
our  battles,  as  we  were  fully  able  to  do  that,  but  we  thought 
with  their  coming  would  be  a  supply  of  hard  tack  and  "Lincoln 
coffee." 

(Rebellion  Records.) 

KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,  DEC.  4th,  1863. 

COL.  JOHN  F.  HARTRANFT, 

Commanding  2nd  Division,  pth  Army  Corps: 

COLONEL:  Captain  Jos.  H.  Hoskings,  48th  Penna., 
commanding  picket  line  of  the  ist  Brigade,  reports  to  me 
where  had  been  previously  seen  the  enemy's  camp  from 
the  top  of  the  Suck  saw-mill,  has  now  disappeared ;  he  also 
reports  at  10.30  p.  m.  a  move  of  artillery  or  heavy  wagons, 
and  trains  were  heard  distinctly  moving  towards  the  right; 
also  at  1.30  o'clock  this  morning  two  rockets  were  seen  on 
the  hills  opposite  his  centre,  and  one  blank  shot  fired.  Teams 
and  artillery  moving  on  our  right  and  left. 

W.  J.  BOLTON, 
Major  and  Div.  Officer  of  the  Day,  $rd  inst. 

Nearly  every  day  we  were  skirmishing  with  the  rebels 
after  the  Fort  Saunders'  engagement,  and  on  the  night  of 
December  3d  there  was  some  very  brisk  infantry  firing  and 
artillery  practice.  On  the  5th  the  siege  was  raised,  being 
nineteen  days  in  length.  Longstreet  left  in  the  night.  Grant 
had  sent  Sherman  with  a  corps  of  troops  to  our  relief,  and,  as 
they  came  closer  and  closer,  Longstreet,  the  rebel  general, 
deemed  it  wise  to  depart  towards  Virginia.  The  troops  pur 
sued  some  distance,  our  division  going  as  far  as  Rutledge, 
and  from  there  to  Elaine's  Cross  Roads. 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  13» 

AT    ELAINE'S    CROSS    ROADS 

BURN  SIDE'S  GENERAL  ORDERS 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  OHIO, 

IN  THE  FIELD,  Dec.  5th,  1863. 
General  Field  Orders,  No.  34. 

The  Commanding  General  congratulates  the  troops  on  the 
raising  of  the  siege.  With  unsurpassed  fortitude  and  patient  watch 
fulness  they  have  sustained  the  wearing  duties  of  the  defense,  and,, 
with  unyielding  courage,  they  have  repulsed  the  most  desperate 
assaults. 

The  Army  of  the  Ohio  has  nobly  guarded  the  loyal  region  it 
redeemed  from  its  oppressors,  and  has  rendered  the  heroic  defence 
of  Knoxville  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  war. 

Strengthened  by  the  experiences  and  the  successes  of  the  past, 
they  now,  with  the  powerful  support  of  the  gallant  Army  which 
has  come  to  their  relief  and,  with  undoubting  faith  in  the  Divine 
protection,  enter  with  the  brightest  prospects  upon  the  closing  scenes 
of  a  most  brilliant  campaign.  By  command, 

MAJOR-GENEEAL    BURNSIDE. 
LEWIS  RICHMOND, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

ANXIETY   OF   THE    PRESIDENT 

President  Lincoln  was  very  anxious  about  Burnside's 
position  and  condition  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  was  remind 
ing1  General  Grant,  occasionally,  of  the  probability  of 
disaster  to  Burnside's  army. 

General  Grant,  in  his  memoirs,  states  that  he  had  made 
preparations  for  sending  troops  to  the  relief  of  Burnside  at 
the  very  earliest  moment  after  securing  Chattanooga. 
General  Thomas  was  instructed  to  have  a  boat  loaded  with 
rations  and  ammunition  and  move  up  the  Holston,  keeping* 
the  boat  all  the  time  abreast  of  the  troops.  General  Gordon 
Granger,  with  the  4th  Corps,  reinforced  to  twenty  thousand 
men,  was  to  start  the  moment  Missionary  Ridge  was 
carried.  General  Granger,  however,  did  not  start  as 
promptly  as  he  (General  Grant)  had  desired  and  expected 
he  would  do,  and  at  least  a  full  day  was  lost  in  determining 
the  fate  of  Knoxville.  Granger  was  aware  that  on  the  23rd 
Burnside  had  telegraphed  that  his  supplies  would  last  for 
ten  or  twelve  days  and  during  that  time  he  could  hold  out 


140  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

against  Long-street,  but,  if  not  relieved  within  the  time 
indicated,  he  would  be  obliged  to  surrender  or  attempt  to 
retreat. 

"Finding  that  Granger  had  not  only  not  started,  but 
was  very  reluctant  to  go,  he  having  decided  for  himself  that 
it  was  a  very  bad  move  to  make,  I  sent  word  to  General 
Sherman  of  the  situation  and  directed  him  to  march  to  the 
relief  of  Knoxville.  I  also  gave  him  the  problem  we  had 
to  solve — that  Burnside  had  now  but  four  to  six  days' 
supplies  left,  and  that  he  must  be  relieved  within  that  time. 

"I  was  loath  to  send  Sherman,  because  his  men  needed 
rest  after  their  long  march  from  Memphis  and  hard  fighting 
at  Chattanooga.  But  I  had  become  satisfied  that  Burnside 
could  not  be  rescued  if  his  relief  depended  upon  General 
Granger's  movements." 

General  Grant  further  states  that,  "I  was  so  very 
anxious  that  Burnside  should  get  news  of  the  steps  being 
taken  for  his  relief,  and  thus  induce  him  to  hold  out  a 
little  longer  if  it  became  necessary,  that  I  determined  to 
send  a  messenger  to  him.  I  therefore  sent  a  member  of  my 
staff,  Col.  J.  H.  Wilson,  to  get  into  Knoxville  if  he  could, 
report  to  Gen.  Burnside  the  situation  fully,  and  give  him  all 
the  encouragement  possible.  Chas.  A.  Dana,  who  was  at 
Chattanooga  at  the  time,  volunteered  to  accompany  Col. 
Wilson,  and  did  accompany  him.  I  put  the  information 
of  what  was  being  done  for  the  relief  of  Knoxville  into 
writing,  and  directed  that  in  some  way  or  other  it  must 
be  secretly  managed  so  as  to  have  a  copy  of  this  fall  into 
the  hands  of  Gen.  Longstreet.  They  made  the  trip  safely. 
Gen.  Longstreet  did  learn  of  Gen.  Sherman's  coming  in 
advance  of  his  reaching  there,  and  Gen.  Burnside  was 
prepared  to  hold  out  even  for  a  longer  time  if  it  had  been 
necessary. 

"Upon  the  raising  of  the  siege  of  Knoxville  I, 
of  course,  informed  the  authorities  at  Washington — the 
President  and  the  Secretary  of  War — of  the  fact,  which 
caused  great  rejoicing  there.  The  President  especially  was 
rejoiced  that  Knoxville  had  been  relieved  without  further 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  141 

bloodshed.  The  safety  of  Burnside's  army,  and  the 
loyal  people  of  East  Tennessee  had  been  the  subject  of  much 
anxiety  to  the  President  for  several  months,  during  which 
time  he  was  telegraphing  me  daily,  almost  hourly,  to  'do 
something  for  Burnside,'  'remember  Burnside,'  and  other 
appeals  of  like  tenor.  He  saw  no  escape  for  East  Tennessee 
until  after  our  victory  at  Chattanooga.  Even  then  he  was 
afraid  that  Burnside  might  be  out  of  ammunition,  in  a 
starving  condition,  or  overpowered,  and  his  anxiety  was 
still  intense,  until  he  heard  that  Longstreet  had  been  driven 
from  the  field." 

On  the  I4th  we  received  a*  ration  of  hard  tack,  coffee  and 
sugar,  and  what  a  treat  it  was  to  be  sure.  The  men  were 
usually  ordered  to  fall  in,  marched  to  the  corn  crib  for  their 
rations,  each  man  getting  two  ears  and  a  nubbin.  It  was  made 
into  meal  by  the  use  of  "Armstrong"  mills.  There  was  no 
patent  on  these  mills  that  I  ever  heard  of.  They  were  made 
of  a  tin  plate,  punched  full  of  holes,  or,  if  no  tin  plate  could  be 
had,  a  canteen  was  thrown  into  the  fire  and  the  solder  melted, 
giving  two  tin  plates.  By  taking  the  ear  of  corn,  and  rubbing- 
it  on  the  rough  side  of  the  perforated  plate,  using  a  strong  arm, 
you  got  your  meal. 

BREAD   PILLS 

Dr.  W.  R.  D.  Blackwood,  our  regimental  surgeon,  now  a 
resident  of  Philadelphia,  was  as  short  of  medical  supplies  as 
he  and  the  rest  of  us  were  short  of  rations,  but  he  must  have 
medicine,  and  he  knew  how  to  make  it.  The  bread  that  was 
made  of  bean  flour,  or  putty,  or  -something,  he  formed  into 
pills,  and  it  made  little  or  no  difference  if  a  man  had  a  head 
ache,  bellyache,  fever  or  sore  toe,  he  got  the  same  old  pills, 
with  directions  to  take  one  every  two  hours  and  keep  his  feet 
dry.  The  doctor  didn't  lose  a  case  under  this  treatment,  and 
if  the  boys  would  have  known  at  the  time  the  sort  of  medicine 
that  was  in  the  medicine-chest,  there  would  not  have  been  a 
man  fit  for  duty — all  would  have  reported  on  the  sick  list. 

December,  1863.  9tn  Army  Corps,  Brig.  Gen.  R.  B. 
Potter;  2nd  Div.  Col.  Jno.  F.  Hartranft;  ist  Brigade,  Col. 
J.  K.  Sigfried;  48th  Penna.  Vols.,  Lt.  Col.  H.  Pleasants. 


142  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 
From  the  pen  of  Maj.  O.  C.  Bosbyshell,  dated  Dec.  I2th,  1863: 

MESSRS.  EDITORS  :  It  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  give  you  a 
resume  of  the  doings  of  this  brigade,  but  more  particularly  the  48th, 
during  the  last  month.  At  the  risk  of  wearying  you  somewhat,  here's 
at  it.  Let  me  preface  my  jottings  down  of  the  last  month's  actions, 
with  a  remark  or  two  concerning  the  activity  of  the  Union  forces  since 
their  first  occupation  of  East  Tennessee.  This  brigade  left  Camp  Nelson 
on  the  I2th  of  September,  1863,  and  since  then  to  the  present  time,  just 
three  months,  has  marched  364  miles  and  traveled  by  railroad  128  miles, 
making  492  miles  in  all,  besides  having  engaged  in  three  fights  and  as 
many  skirmishes,  and  being  besieged  twenty  days.  Whoever  declares 
that  the  campaign  in  East  Tennessee  has  been  an  inactive  one,  deserves 
to  be  conscripted  into  a  negro  regiment  and  fed  on  quarter  rations  for 
the  period  of  three  years.  On  the  I4th  of  November  orders  to  break 
camp  reached  us  at  our  beautiful  camping  ground  near  Lenoir.  On 
the  15th  we  were  at  Loudon  skirmishing  with  the  rebels  all  day — this 
brigade  being  the  last  to  leave,  and  in  part  protecting  the  rear  of  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio  in  its  retreat  toward  Knoxville.  Upon  being  relieved 
the  brigade  was  pushed  forward  to  the  front  (stopping  long  enough  at 
Lenoir  to  be  fresh  rationed)  to  take  up  a  position  on  the  Kingston  Road, 
which  leads  into  the  Knoxville  Road  near  Campbell's  Station,  and  upon 
which  there  was  every  reason  to  believe  the  enemy  would  come  in  on 
to  cut  off  our  retreat  towards  Knoxville.  It  was  daylight  when  the 
brigade  reached  the  spot  designated.  Col.  Sigfried,  to  whom  the  task 
of  preventing  the  enemy's  approach  in  this  direction  had  been  assigned, 
had  scarcely  thrown  forward  his  cavalry  skirmishers  half  a  mile  when 
they  became  engaged  with  the  rebel  skirmishers.  It  became  evident 
that  much  depended  upon  our  holding  this  position,  Gen.  Burnside's 
•orders  being  to  hold  it  at  all  hazards,  until  reinforced,  and  well  was  it 
held,  although  the  brigade  was  severely  pressed  on  all  sides.  The 
fighting  at  the  junction  of  the  roads  was  sharp  and  savage.  Receiving 
orders  to  fall  back  we  did  so  in  good  style.  Thus  opened  the  battle 
of  Campbell's  Station.  It  was  an  all  day's  fight,  commencing  early  on 
the  I5th,  and  darkness  put  an  end  to  it.  The  fight  after  the  affair  in 
the  woods  at  the  junctions  of  the  roads  became  one  of  the  grandest 
sights  in  military  display.  The  battlefield  was  clear  from  woods  or 
obstructions  of  any  kind,  so  that  the  participants  could  view  the  move 
ments  of  each  other  without  difficulty.  We  could  plainly  discern  the 
enemy's  movements,  and  then  all  our  own  were  visible  also.  It  was  a 
grand  military  drill,  and  beat  all  the  evolutions  of  a  battalion  day  one 
could  imagine.  Some  say  Gen.  Burnside  is  incapable  of  handling  a 
large  body  of  troops.  An  eye-witness  of  his  skillful  maneuvering  on 
the  battlefield  at  Campbell's  Station  will  say  differently.  It  is  the  opinion 
of  those  that  ought  to  know  that  there  have  been  few  if  any  battles 


UNiVERS 

or 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  143 

fought  during  this  war  in  which  so  many  evolutions  had  to  be  per 
formed,  and  in  which  troops  had  been  so  skillfully  handled.  Your 
correspondent  does  not  pretend  to  set  up  his  own  opinion,  but  he  made 
good  use  of  his  eyes,  and  certainly  never  beheld  a  grander  picture,  or 
never  noticed  how  beautifully  every  movement  coincided  with  a  coun 
ter-movement  of  the  enemy.  Maj.  Gilmour  arrived  from  the  east  in 
time  to  participate  in  this  engagement,  and  commanded  the  48th  during 
it.  The  regiment  behaved  well  and  lost  one  killed  (Sergeant  Joseph 
Reed,  Company  H),  one  wounded  and  a  prisoner  (Private  Isaac  Arndt, 
Company  I),  and  one  missing  (Private  George  Livingston,  Company 
A).  After  dark  the  retreat  was  continued  to  Knoxville,  where  we 
arrived  early  on  the  morning  of  the  I7th. 

Knoxville  Gen.  Burnside  determined  to  hold,  so  the  pick  and  the 
shovel  were  put  into  requisition,  and  digging  and  shoveling  became  as 
regular  a  habit  as  drawing  one's  breath.  Finally  we  succeeded  in  be 
coming  strongly  entrenched — impregnable  as  was  afterwards  proven. 

One  of  the  most  severe  duties  to  be  performed  was  picketing. 
Scarcely  a  day  passed  but  some  of  our  men  were  killed  or  wounded 
on  the  picket  line,  and  indeed  so  close  did  the  rebel  pickets  get  that  it 
was  unsafe  for  a  head  to  appear  above  our  line  of  entrenchments,  as 
was  demonstrated  by  the  killing  and  wounding  of  several  of  this  brigade. 
On  the  night  of  the  23d  of  November  the  picket  line  in  front  of  this 
brigade,  was  driven  in  by  a  strong  column  of  the  enemy.  Col.  Sigfried 
determined  to  re-establish  his  line,  so  he  selected  for  that  purpose  the 
48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  the  2ist  Massachusetts  Regiment.  At 
daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  these  two  regiments  made  a  most 
gallant  charge  (the  48th  being  led  by  Maj.  Gilmour,  who  managed  the 
affair  most  handsomely),  driving  the  rebels  back  in  great  confusion, 
killing  and  wounding  a  number,  and  capturing  some  prisoners.  Our 
line  was  re-established.  The  48th  behaved  most  nobly.  Its  conduct 
not  only  on  this  occasion,  but  many  others,  deservedly  stamps  it  as  a 
veteran  organization.  Be  it  understood  that  the  2ist  did  well  also,  but 
I  speak  particularly  of  the  48th,  because  the  people  reading  this  feel 
more  interest  in  it.  On  one  other  occasion  our  pickets  were  driven  in, 
but  the  line  was  re-established  by  the  second  brigade.  The  picket  line 
of  this  brigade  at  the  end  of  the  siege  remained  in  the  same  place  it 
held  at  the  opening  of  the  siege.  It  would  render  my  letter  of  an 
almost  interminable  length  were  I  to  describe  the  many  scenes  and 
incidents  attending  the  siege  of  Knoxville.  Never  were  troops  called 
upon  to  endure  greater  hardships,  or  placed  in  more  perilous  situations, 
and  not  once  did  they  shrink  from  doing  their  duty. 

Of  the  assault  on  Fort  Saunders  you  have  already  better  accounts 
than  I  can  give.  It  clearly  demonstrated  to  Longstreet  that  our  works, 
were  going  to  be  defended  and  that  our  position  was  impregnable.  The 
anxiety  attending  the  siege  was  keenly  visible  on  all  countenances,  but 
one  could  plainly  discern  the  determination  of  holding  out  to  the  bitter 


144  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

end.  This  feeling  all  possessed ;  not  a  man  in  the  trenches  but  said  we 
could  hold  our  position.  Longstreet  held  out  as  long  as  he  safely  could, 
but  deeming  it  politic  to  escape  the  snare  being  laid  for  him,  pulled 
up  stakes  and  left  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  inst.  •  About  nine  o'clock 
the  same  morning  Col.  Sigfried  took  his  brigade  out  to  gather  up 
whatever  stragglers  could  be  found  in  the  neighborhood.  The  48th 
did  the  skirmishing  and  brought  in  a  number  of  prisoners.  By  four  in' 
the  afternoon  we  returned  to  Knoxville,  having  scoured  quite  a  con 
siderable  part  of  the  country.  Monday  last  we  started  after  the  rebels 
and  reached  this  point  -on  Wednesday,  where  we  are  at  present  resting 
from  the  severe  trials  of  the  last  month. 

I  have  given  you  but  the  mere  skimming — better  pens  than  mine 
must  describe  the  realities  we  have  passed  through.  In  justice  to  the 
noble  soldiers  of  this  army  it  should  be  done.  Braver  men  never  drew 
the  breath  of  life — they  are  soldiers,  every  inch  of  them. 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 

Before  entering  upon  a  review  of  the  operations  of  the 
great  campaign  of  Gen.  Grant  in  Virginia,  in  1864,  as  far  as 
the  regiments  from  Schuylkill  County  are  concerned,  we  must 
glance  at  the  attempt  of  the  rebels  under  Longstreet,  in 
November,  1863,  to  capture  Knoxville.  They  were,  however, 
signally  defeated  by  the  9th  Corps,  of  which  the  48th  and  5oth 
Pennsylvania  Regiments  formed  part.  The  endurance  and 
valor  displayed  by  our  troops  on  that  trying  occasion,  make 
a  bright  page  in  the  history  of  the  war. 

Colonel  H.  Pleasants,  of  the  48th  Regiment,  wrote  to 
us  under  date,  "Knoxville,  Nov.  27,  1863,"  as  follows: 

The  rebels  had  arranged  a  well  concerted  plan  to  drive  out  or 
capture  General  Burnside's  army.  They  sent  Wheeler's  cavalry  across 
the  Little  Tennessee  river,  and  attacked  our  forces  south  of  the  Holston 
river,  driving  them  back  to  the  hills  opposite  Knoxville.  They  were 
here  checked  and  repulsed  by  General  Saunders.  Simultaneous  with  this 
movement,  Longstreet,  with  his  corps,  crossed  below  Loudon  and  attacked 
the  Qth  Army  Corps  and  General  White's  division  of  the  23d  Army 
Corps.  Our  forces  fell  back  to  Knoxville,  but  at  Campbell  Station  there 
was  quite  a  little  fight,  where  the  48th  behaved  well,  and  lost  two  of 
its  men — Sergeant  Joseph  Reed,  Co.  H,  killed,  and  Private  Isaac  Arndt, 
Co.  I,  who  was  wounded  seriously  by  a  shell  and  left  in  a  house.  The 
siege  of  Knoxville  began  on  last  Tuesday,  a  week  ago ;  since  that  time 
there  has  been  continued  skirmishing,  and  three  hard  fights.  The  2nd 
Michigan  Regiment  on  the  left  of  the  line,  made  a  sortie  and  drove  the 
rebels  out  of  their  rifle-pit".  On  the  south  side  of  the  river  Colonel 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  145 

Cameron's  brigade,  23d  A.  C,  drove  the  rebels  back  with  heavy  loss, 
and  the  48th  Pa.,  with  the  2ist  Mass.  Regiment,  three  days  ago  sallied 
out  and  drove  the  rebels  from  their  rifle-pits  in  gallant  manner. 

From  another  correspondent  we  received  the  following-: 

KNOXVILLE,  Dec.  5th,  1863. 

The  siege  of  Knoxville  was  raised  rhis  morning — the  last  of  the 
rebel  rear  guard  leaving  our  front  about  day-light.  The  cavalry  has 
started  in  pursuit,  and  squads  of  prisoners  are  being  brought  in  every 
few  minutes.  From  them  we  learn  that  Longstreet's  force  was  greater 
than  was  supposed ;  the  reinforcement  of  three  brigades  from  Buckner's 
corps,  under  Bushrod  Johnson,  which  reached  him  some  ten  days 
ago,  having  increased  his  army  to  30,000  men,  and  caused  the  assault  of 
last  Sunday. 

The  battle  at  Campbell  Station  was  a  short  but  brilliant  affair. 
Our  brigade  of  the  23rd,  and  a  part  of  the  Qth  Corps  repulsed  the  rebel 
attack  in  a  handsome  and  effective  manner. 

The  siege  of  Knoxville  has  been  a  signal  failure ;  it  did  not  pre 
vent  us  from  obtaining  forage  and  provisions  from  the  country  south  of 
the  Holston  river,  and  the  several  attacks,  commencing  with  the  one 
south  of  said  river  and  ending  with  that  on  Fort  Sanders,  were  met 
with  determination  and  ended  in  complete  and  bloody  defeats.  The 
48th  Regiment  has,  during  the  whole  of  this  campaign,  at  Campbell 
Station  and  in  their  charges  on  the  enemy's  rifle-pits,  behaved  well. 
The  officers  and  men  have  borne  the  privations  and  hardships  of  the 
siege  without  a  murmur,  and  their  commander  has  been  constantly  at 
his  post  of  duty.  Colonel  Sigfried's  brigade  went  out  this  morning  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  no  doubt  they  will  bring  back  some  prisoners. 

General  Sherman's  advance,  consisting  of  about  a  thousand 
cavalry,  arrived  here  yesterday  morning  at  three  o'clock ;  and  Long- 
street  having  heard  of  the  defeat  of  Bragg,  and  the  arrival  of 
reinforcements,  immediately  commenced  his  retreat.  General  Grant's 
management  of  this  campaign  has  been  masterly.  He  ordered  Burnside 
to  let  Longstreet  cross  the  Tennessee  River  and  to  hold  him  in  East 
Tennessee  until  he  would  attack  Bragg.  He  crushed  the  rebel  army  of 
the  west  and  immediately  dispatched  Sherman  and  Granger  to  our 
assistance.  Thus  by  this  strategy  30,000  of  Bragg's  best  troops 
were  detained  here,  while  he  did  not  spare  one  single  man  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  until  the  great  struggle  was  over. 

The  next  letter  we  received  was  from  Major  Joseph  A. 
Gilmour,  who  commanded  the  48th  with  consummate  judg 
ment  and  ability,  during  the  entire  operations.  He  very 
kindly  and  thoughtfully,  furnished  us  with  a  list  of  the 
casualties  of  his  command.  The  Major's  letter  is  as  follows: 

10 


146  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

HEADQUARTERS  48111  REG.,  P.  V., 
KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,  Dec.  6,  1863. 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  following  list  of  casualties  in 
my  command,  since  Nov.  15th,  to  date: 

Sergeant  Joseph   Reed,    Co.    H,   wounded   at   Campbell    Station, 
Tenn,  Nov.  i6th,  died  Nov.  i6th,  1863. 

Corporal  John  Sponsler,  Co.  H,  wounded  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
Nov.  29th,  died  Nov.  29th,  1863. 

Private  Joseph  Weise,  Co.  H,  wounded  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov. 
24th,  died  Nov.  28th,  1863. 

Private  Jonas  Haldeman,  Co.  I,  killed  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov. 
29th,  1863. 

Private   Charles   Weaver,   Co.   I,  wounded  at  Knoxville,   Tenn., 
Dec.  3rd,  died  Dec.  5th,  1863. 

ist  Lieut  Jacob  Douty,  Co.  K.,  wounded  at  Knoxville,   Tenn., 
Nov.  24th,  1863. 

2nd   Lieut.    Henry    C.   Jackson,   Co.    G,   wounded   at   Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  29,  1863. 

Private    Martin    Tobin,    Co.    C,    wounded    at    Knoxville,    Tenn., 
Nov.  24th,  1863;  severe. 

Private  J.  F.  Wildermuth,  Co.  H,  wounded  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
Nov.  22nd,   1863. 

Private    James    Heiser,    Co.    I,    wounded    at    Knoxville,    Tenn., 
Nov.  29th,  1863. 

Private   John    Murphy,    Co.    K,   wounded    at    Knoxville,    Tenn., 
Nov.  23rd,  1863. 

Private   Austin   Farrow,   Co.   F,  wounded   at   Knoxville,    Tenn., 
Nov.  28th,   1863. 

Private  George  Livingston,  Co.  A,  missing  in  action  at  Campbell 
Station,  Tenn.,  Nov.  i6th,  1863. 

Private   Daniel   Root,    Co.    B,   missing   in    action    at    Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  29th,  1863. 

Private  Robert  McElrath,  Co.  C,  missing  in  action  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  24th,   1863. 

Private  James  Brennan,  Co.  E,  missing  in  action  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  29th,  1863. 

Private  Isaac  Arndt,  Co.  I,  missing  in  action  at  Campbell  Station, 
Tenn.,  No.   16,   1863 — severely  wounded  in  hip;   left  on  field. 

Private  J.  K.   Sherman,   Co.  K,  missing  in  action  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  29th,  1863. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  A.  GILMOUR, 

Major  Commanding. 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  147 

A  partial  description  of  the  campaign  of  East  Tennessee 
is  here  given  as  contributed  by  Sergeant  William  J.  Wells,  of 
Company  "F."  Comrade  Wells  is  now  a  resident  of 
Norristown,  Pa.,  and  present  Recorder  of  Deeds  of  Mont 
gomery  County,  Pa. 

During  the  encampment  of  the  48th  at  Elaine's  Cross 
Roads,  in  East  Tennessee,  from  December  7th,  1863,  to 
January  I3th,  1864,  the  condition  of  the  men  was  deplorable 
in  the  extreme.  Probably  no  troops  of  the  Union  Army, 
during  the  entire  war — prisoners  of  war  excepted — suffered 
so  much  from  lack  of  supplies  as  did  those  of  the  Burnside 
forces  during  that  dreary  winter  in  that  barren,  mountain 
ous  region.  The  cause  of  this  in  no  way  reflected  upon  the 
War  Department  nor  any  of  its  officers,  the  conditions 
surrounding  the  situation  being  alone  responsible.  Being 
over  two  hundred  miles  from  the  base  of  supplies  at 
Hickman  Bridge,  Kentucky,  it  was  utterly  impossible  for 
the  Commissary  and  Quartermaster's  Departments  to 
procure  anything  like  adequate  supplies  of  food  or  clothing 
for  the  Army  of  East  Tennessee,  as  almost  the  entire  distance 
lay  over  a  succession  of  mountains,  steep,  high  and  rocky, 
as  the  Wild  Cats,  the  Cumberland,  the  Clinch,  and  inter 
vening  ranges,  besides  rivers  and  mountain  streams.  The 
roads  during  the  summer  were  bad  enough,  but  almost 
impassable  for  teams  in  winter.  To  add  to  the  difficulty, 
forage  for  the  mules,  from  start  to  finish — except  a  few 
days'  supply  at  the  start — was  unobtainable,  both  armies 
having  devastated  the  country  for  many  miles,  so  that  at 
the  finish  they  scarcely  had  strength  enough  to  move  their 
loaded  wagons.  At  places  on  the  Clinch  mountains  the 
descent  was  so  steep  that  the  only  way  to  get  the  wagons 
down  was  by  the  use  of  ropes  coiled  about  the  trees.  Besides 
this  method  of  obtaining  supplies,  the  otherwise  useless 
teams  were  sometimes  sent  out  into  the  surrounding 
country  on  foraging  expeditions,  under  strong  guard, 
returning  to  camp,  perhaps  empty,  or  with  a  small  supply  of 
corn-on-the-cob  so  ancient  that,  to  reduce  the  corn  to  an 
edible  condition,  the  boys  were  kept  busy.  At  any  time, 


148  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

day  or  night,  an  old  coffee  mill  or  other  improvised  grinder 
might  be  heard  grinding  away.  Two  ears  of  corn,  or  eight 
ounces  of  flour,  generally  constituted  a  day's  rations. 
Occasionally  when  a  drove  of  cattle,  sleek  and  fat  at  the 
start,  but  fatless  on  their  arrival  in  camp,  made  their 
appearance,  they  were  soon  slaughtered  and  we  had  a  little 
fresh  meat.  A  little  hard  tack  and  "salt  horse"  now  and 
then,  varied  the  diet,  and  sometimes  the  memory  of  yester 
day's  meal  must  suffice.  Most  of  the  men  at  the  close  of 
this  arduous  campaign,  in  that  wintry  camp,  the  cold  north 
wind  sweeping  around  them,  were  tentless,  blanketless, 
many  without  overcoats,  and  but  few  had  any  change  of 
underclothing. 

LIKE    VALLEY    FORGE 

For  shelter,  two  heavy  logs,  placed  slightly  apart,  gave 
support  for  fence  rails,  which,  inclining  forward,  served  as 
a  support  for  a  thick  covering  of  pine  boughs,  of  which  the 
woods  gave  a  plentiful  supply.  Underneath  this  shelter 
additional  pine  boughs  served  for  a  bedding.  To  keep 
warm  at  night,  heavy  logs  were  laid  in  front  of  the  shelter 
to  form  the  fire-bed,  which  was  kept  burning  by  one 
comrade  while  the  others  slept.  Thus  the  time  passed, 
while  the  camp  and  picket  guard  "kept  up  their  dreary 
rounds."  To-day  it  seems  a  dream,  yet  what  a  stern 
,  reality ! 

The  lack  of  proper  clothing,  for  want  of  a  change,  was  a 
source  of  much  annoyance  to  the  men ;  but  there  was  no 
remedy,  as  soap  in  that  camp  was  almost  an  unknown 
commodity.  Many  tried,  covered  only  with  a  thin  blouse, 
to  wash  their  shirt  in  the  mountain  streams,  using  clay  as  a 
substitute  for  soap,  but  with  poor  results.  As  "Cleanliness 
is  next  to  Godliness,"  they,  succeeded  but  poorly  in  living 
up  to  the  adage. 

Their  feet  were  in  but  little  better  condition  than  their 
bodies  and  stomachs,  for  many  a  foot  was  but  poorly  clad, 
some  wrapped  in  rags.  Raw  beef-hides,  when*  obtainable, 
cut  into  moccasin  form  and  tied  with  strips  of  the  same, 


Sergeant  William  J.  Wells,  Co.  F. 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  151 

or  string,  covered  many  a  foot  to  keep  it  from  the  biting 
cold  or  frozen  ground.  Yet  but  few  complained,  complaint 
being  useless,  no  betterment  being  in  sight.  Never  did  men 
bear  greater  hardships  in  camp  life  than  did  the  troops  in 
East  Tennessee  in  the  winter  of  1863-4.  Hungry,  half  clad, 
shelterless  and  footsore,  they  bore  all  uncomplainingly  for 
the  land  they  loved  so  well  and  the  flag  they  followed. 

WEARY   MARCHING 

Then  that  long  march  back  to  Hickman  Bridge  in  that 
condition !  Over  that  long,  weary  road,  frozen  at  nightfall 
and  early  morn,  and  snow-slushed  by  day,  must  these  men 
march  in  nine  short  days  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  a  day. 
Hope  alone  sustained  them.  Footsore,  hungry  and  tired, 
they  trudged  along,  cheering  each  other  by  talks  of  home 
and  friends  so  soon  to  meet.  The  condition  of  the  road  and 
its  surroundings  had  not  improved  since  their  summer 
march  over  it.  Dead  mules  and  broken  down  wagons 
marked  almost  every  mile ;  it  was  desolation  complete.  No 
cheerful  light  of  homelike  fireside ;  no  kindly  face  to  greet 
them ;  only  long,  weary,  dreary  marching.  On  either  side 
of  the  road  for  hundreds  of  yards  no  fence  rail  or  other 
wood,  suitable  for  making  fire,  was  obtainable,  the  frequent 
passing  of  wagon-trains  and  troops  having  used  it  up. 
Indeed,  there  was  but  little  need  of  wood  for  cooking 
purposes,  as  there  was  little  to  cook.  Only  for  warmth,  at 
night,  was  a  little  with  difficulty  gathered,  and  to  cook  their 
coffee — that  good  friend  of  the  soldier — of  which  there  was 
usually  a  good  supply. 

It  was  impossible  in  the  enfeebled  condition  of  the  men 
to  keep  the  regiment  together  as  a  unit.  At  times,  they 
were  strung  out  on  the  road  for  miles,  many  straggling  into 
camp  hours  after  the  main  body.  The  orders  were:  "Do 
the  best  you  can,  but  keep  a  strong  guard  about  the  colors." 
This  was  important,  as  bushwhackers  frequently  showed 
an  inclination  to  fire  at  small  squads. 


152  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

BACK  TO  GOOD  OLD  LEXINGTON  AND  PLENTY 

The  news  of  the  coming  of  the  48th  had  reached 
Lexington,  and  many  of  its  citizens,  of  both  sexes,  drove 
out  to  meet  the  boys  miles  beyond  Hickman  Bridge.  .  Oh, 
what  cheers  and  greetings  as  old  friends  met !  What  a 
changed  condition  met  their  view !  On  leaving  Lexington, 
the  year  previous,  for  Tennessee,  the  regiment  looked 
"spick  and  span ;"  now,  in  rags  they  view  their  return. 
Renewed  energy  was  thus  infused  into  their  drooping 
spirits ;  and,  ere  long,  the  welcome  flow  of  the  old  Kentucky 
River  and  Hickman  Bridge  signalled  the  end  of  that  long, 
weary  march.  Never  did  men  more  long  to  view  some  old 
familiar  spot,  and  here  was  plenty  of  food,  shelter  and 
supplies. 

After  the  issue  of  clothing,  complete  as  to  outfit,  every 
thing  new  but  the  old  gun,  it  was  a  grand  sight  to  see, 
midwinter  as  it  was,  squads  of  men  in  rags,  rush  to  the  icy 
waters  of  that  noted  stream  with  their  good,  clean  clothing, 
plunge  into  it,  soap  in  hand,  strip  in  the  water  and  wash, 
allowing  their  old  clothes  full  consent  to  "float  down  the 
stream,"  (body-guard  and  all)  they  felt  renewed  in  manhood; 
when  re-dressed  in  good,  clean,  pure  clothing,  they  again  stood 
on  the  bank.  Towards  evening  the  report  was  circulated  that 
two  propositions  would  be  placed  before  the  regiment,  viz., 
March,  starting  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  next  morning, 
Saturday,  to  Lexington,  remain  there  over  Sunday,  and 
entrain  on  Monday  for  Cincinnati,  or  remain  at  Hickman 
Bridge  until  Monday  morning,  march  six  miles  to  Nicholas- 
ville,  and  entrain  for  the  same  city.  Upon  taking  a  vote, 
viva  voce,  a  majority  decided  in  favor  of  the  Lexington 
march;  and,  accordingly,  that  plan  was  carried  out  to  the 
great  joy,  both  of  the  regiment  and  the  good  people  of  dear 
old  Lexington.  No  one  will  ever  forget  the  pleasant  time 
spent  there  during  that  short  stay  nor  the  grand  farewell  at 
the  station  when  the  engine  whistle  signalled  the  departure 
for  "home,  sweet  home." 

To   emphasize   what  has   been   written   of  the   winter 


THE  TENNESSEE  CAMPAIGN  153 

campaign,  (by  Sergeant  Wm.  J.  Wells)  I  quote  from  General 
Grant's  memoirs: 

"It  was  an  intensely  cold  winter,  the  theremometer 
being  down  as  low  as  zero  for  more  than  a  week  while  I  was 
at  Knoxville,  and  on  my  way  from  there  on  horse-back  to 
Lexington,  Ky.,  the  first  point  I  could  reach  rail  to  carry  me 
back  to  my  headquarters  at  Nashville. 

"The  road  over  Cumberland  Gap,  and  back  of  it,  was 
strewn  with  debris  of  broken  wagons  and  dead  animals. 
The  roa.d  had  been  cut  up  to  as  great  a  depth  as  clay  could 
be  by  mules  and  wagons,  and  in  that  condition  frozen,  so 
that  the  ride  of  six  days  from  Strawberry  Plains  to  Lexing 
ton  over  those  holes  and  knobs  in  the  road  was  a  cheerless 
one,  and  very  disagreeable." 

If  the  ride  was  so  cheerless,  it  can  easily  be  imagined 
that  the  two  hundred  mile  walk  would  be  more  so. 

ELAINE'S  CROSS  ROADS,  EAST  TENNESSEE,  DEC.  9,  1863. 
MAJOR  GENERAL  GEO.  H.  THOMAS, 

Commanding  Dept.  of  Cumberland: 

GENERAL:  The  sufferings  and  privations  now  being 
undergone  by  our  troops  are  most  cruel,  I  assure  you.  We 
have  been  without  tents  and  clothing,  and  being  obliged  to 
live  on  the  country,  our  rations  have  been  very  irregular 
and  limited. 

We  are  now  bivouacking  at  this  place,  22  miles  east  of 
Knoxville,  in  mud  and  rain,  and  many  of  the  command  are 
falling  sick  with  pneumonia,  diarrhoea,  etc. 

Respectfully,  etc.,         GORDON  GRANGER, 
(From  Rebellion  Records.)  Maj.  Gen.  commanding. 

Burnside's  Farewell  order  in  surrendering  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  in  East  Tennessee: 

HEADQUARTERS    DIVISION  ARMY  OF  THE  OHIO, 
General  Field  Orders,  No.  38. 

KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,  Dec.  n,  1863. 

In  obedience  to  orders  from  the  War  Dept.,  the  Commanding 
General  this  day  resigns  to  Major  General  John  G.  Foster  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio. 


154  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

On  severing  the  tie  which  has  united  him  to  this  gallant  Army 
he  cannot  express  his  deep  personal  feeling  at  parting  from  men 
brought  near  him  by  their  mutual  experiences  in  the  eventful  scenes 
of  the  past  campaign,  and  who  have  always,  regardless  of  every 
privation  and  of  every  danger,  cheerfully  and  faithfully  performed 
their  duty.  Associated  with  many  of  their  number  from  the  earliest 
days  of  the  war,  he  takes  leave  of  this  Army,  not  only  as  soldiers, 
to  whose  heroism  many  a  victorious  battle-field  bears  witness,  but 
as  well  tried  friends,  who,  in  the  darkest  hours,  have  never  failed 
him.  With  the  sincerest  regret  he  leaves  the  Department  without 
the  opportunity  of  personally  bidding  them  farewell. 

To  the  citizen  soldiers  of  East  Tennessee  who  proved  their 
loyalty  in  the  trenches  of  Knoxville  he  tenders  his  warmest  thanks. 

With  the  highest  confidence  in  the  patriotism  and  skill  of  the 
distinguished  officer  who  succeeds  him,  with  whom  he  has  been  long 
and  intimately  connected  in  the  field,  and  who  will  be  welcomed  as 
their  leader  by  those  who  served  with  him  in  the  memorable  cam 
paign  in  North  Carolina,  and  by  all  as  one  identified  with  some  of 
the  most  brilliant  events  of  the  war,  he  transfers  to  him  the  command, 
assured  that  under  his  guidance  the  bright  record  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio  will  never  grow  dim. 

By  command  of, 
MAJOR-GENERAL    BURNSIDE. 
(Official).  LEWIS  RICHMOND,  A.  A.  G. 


RE-ENLISTMENT  AND  A  VISIT  HOME  155 


CHAPTER  X. 
Re-enlistment  and  a  Visit  Home 

During  the  latter  part  of  December,  1864,  while  in  camp 
at  Elaine's  Cross  Roads,  the  subject  of  re-enlistment  became 
the  all-absorbing  theme,  and  the  old  pth  Corps  regiments 
eagerly  canvassed  the  matter.  The  Government  offered,  as 
inducements,  to  give  all  those  who  re-enlisted  an  additional 
bounty  of  $300,  with  a  thirty-day  furlough,  dating  from  their 
arrival  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  316  men  of  the  48th  accepted 
the  proposition  and  re-enlisted  on  January  ist,  1864. 

Preparations  were  immediately  made  for  the  march  home, 
and,  on  January  I3th,  they  took  up  their  long,  weary  march 
back  to  Lexington,  Ky.,  where,  on  the  25th,  they  took  cars  for 
Covington.  Those  not  re-enlisting  remained  in  Tennessee 
until  after  the  Regiment  had  been  recruited,  when  they 
rejoined  us  at  Annapolis,  Md. 

The  distance  to  Camp  Hickman,  our  objective  point, 
was  about  200  miles,  and  we  went  by  almost  the  very  same 
roads  we  had  come  last  fall,  via  Cumberland  Gap,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Barboursville  and  Loudon,  and  arrived  at  Hickman  on  the 
morning  of  the  22d.  We  went  into  camp  in  the  Government 
barracks  at  this  place  for  the  day,  and  at  three  o'clock  the 
next  morning  started  for  Lexington,  Ky.,  about  20  miles,  to 
pay  a  visit  to  our  old  friends.  We  arrived  there  at  eleven  the 
same  morning,  spent  that  day  and  the  next  renewing  old 
acquaintances.  That  the  people  enjoyed  our  coming  goes 
without  saying,  as  every  evidence  was  given  us  of  their  delight, 
and  that  we  were  glad  to  be  there  was  made  manifest  by  the 
manner  in  which  we  enjoyed  ourselves,  especially  as  the 
"freedom  of  the  town"  was  extended  to  us.  When  we  entered 
the  town,  the  entire  population  turned  out  to  meet  us,  as, 
with  fife  and  drum,  we  marched  out  to  our  old  camp-ground, 
where,  before  dismissing  the  regiment,  Colonel  Sigfried 
stated  that  he  was  going  to  place  no  restrictions  on  the  men. 


156  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

trusting  that  every  man  would  guard,  as  sacred,  the  good 
name  we  bore  in  Lexington.  All  he  asked  was,  that  enough 
men  would  remain  in  camp  to  guard  the  arms  and  regimental 
property. 

HOMEWARD  BOUND 

On  the  morning  of  the  25th  we  left  by  rail  for  Covington, 
Ky.  At  Paris,  Patrick  Brown,  of  Company  "F,"  was  killed 
while  the  train  was  at  a  stop,  the  engine  taking  water;  he 
was  attempting  to  cross  the  track  by  crawling  under  the  car 
when  the  train  started  and  resulted  as  above  stated. 

Covington  was  reached  at  midnight,  and  we  went  into 
camp.  The  next  day  the  work  was  commenced  on  the  muster 
and  payrolls,  and  upon  their  completion  on  the  3ist  we 
marched  over  to  Cincinnati  and  were  paid  off  and  mustered. 
The  same  evening  we  boarded  the  train  at  the  little  Miami 
Depot,  changed  cars  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  reached  Pitts- 
burg  at  10  o'clock  that  night. 

OUR  PITTSBURG  WELCOME 

A  committee  was  at  the  depot,  and  upon  our  arrival 
escorted  us  to  the  Volunteer  Refreshment  saloon  and  intro 
duced  us  to  a  fine  supper,  that  made  us  feel  good,  and 
we  rendered  thanks  to  the  good  people  of  Pittsburg  for  the 
manner  in  which  they  evidenced  their  appreciation  of  our 
services.  We  ran  all  that  night,  and  reached  Altoona  in  time 
for  breakfast,  and  leaving  that  point  arrived  at  Harrisburg  at 
five  in  the  afternoon.  Here  the  clerical  force  was  started  in 
to  work  on  the  furloughs,  the  captain  of  each  company  super 
intending  the  work  for  his  own  command.  A  committee  of 
citizens  from  Pottsville  came  on  here  to  meet  and  escort 
us  home.  On  the  3d  of  February  a  special  train  was  provided 
for  us,  and  we  were  soon  on  the  way.  All  along  the  route  the 
people  turned  out  to  welcome  us,  and  our  trip  was  one  con 
tinuous  ovation.  Pottsville  was  soon  reached,  a  line  formed, 
and,  after  a  short  parade  through  the  streets  and  a  flag  pre 
sentation,  a  good  substantial  repast  was  provided  for  us, 
ranks  were  broken  and  each  soldier  repaired  to  his  home  and 
loved  ones. 


RE-ENLISTMENT  AND  A  VISIT  HOME  157 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 

The  48th  Regiment,  P.  F.— When  the  48th  arrives  home  it  will 
experience  a  hearty  reception.  The  regiment  enjoys  the  distinguished 
honor  of  being  the  first  in  the  corps  to  re-enlist  as  veterans  for  an 
additional  three  years'  service.  In  all  cases,  when  three-fourths  of  the 
men  re-enlist  they  will  be  entitled  to  a  furlough  of  some  thirty  days 
and  the  regular  bounty.  There  were  two  hundred  and  seventy-five 
men  of  this  regiment  present  when  the  terms  of  renewal  were  presented 
to  them,  and  immediately  two  hundred  and  thirty  of  them  gave  in 
their  names,  their  enlistment  to  date  from  January  I,  1864. 

Colonel  Sigfried,  Lieutenant-colonel  Pleasants,  Dr.  Blackwood  and 
the  other  veteran  officers  who  have  passed  through  all  the  trying  scenes 
of  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  and  the  exhausting  toils  and  dangers  of  the 
defense  of  Holston  and  the  retreat  from  the  river,  the  action  at  Camp 
bell's  Station,  at  Greenville  and  the  repulse  of  Longstreet  after  he 
retired  in  the  direction  of  Virginia,  continue  with  the  men,  to  their 
great  delight.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  veteran  body  will  speedily 
be  raised  up  to  the  standard  of  a  full  regiment.  It  is  all  important  that 
young  recruits  should  be  associated  with  men  who  know  their  duty, 
and  who,  in  circumstances  of  danger  or  want,  know  how  to  face  danger 
without  fear,  and  to  make  the  best  of  difficulties. 

The  inhabitants  of  Pottsville  recently  procured  a  magnificent  and 
costly  flag  for  the  48th,  having  a  list  of  the  engagements  inscribed  on 
it  through  which  the  men  have  passed.  In  addition  to  the  long  list  with 
which  the  flag  is  covered,  Gen.  Burnside,  who  is  idolized  by  the  regi 
ment,  has  authorized  the  addition  of  the  words  "East  Tennessee,"  a 
phrase  which  covers  a  wonderful  amount  of  cold,  hunger,  danger  and 
suffering. 

"THE  WELCOME  HOME" 

On  Wednesday  morning,  February  3d,  1864,  it  was 
announced  by  Gen.  James  Nagle,  Chief  Marshal,  that  the 
Veteran  Regiment,  the  48th,  would  reach  Pottsville  during 
the  day.  Every  preparation  was  at  once  made  by  our 
citizens  to  give  the  regiment  a  hearty  welcome  home. 
Private  residences  were  decorated  with  streamers  of  red, 
white  and  blue,  while  flags,  large  and  small,  were  displayed 
everywhere  throughout  the  borough.  Along  the  route  over 
which  the  procession  would  pass  were  displayed  the  names 
of  the  battles  in  which  the  regiment  had  participated.  On 
Mahantongo  street,  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Sillyman,  three 
medallions  suspended  in  the  middle  of  the  street  bore  the 


158  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

names  of  Burnside,  Sigfried  and  Nagle,  under  whom  the 
regiment  had  served  with  distinguished  honor. 

At  3.30  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  train  containing  the  regiment 
reached  Mt.  Carbon,  and  the  men  were  drawn  up  in  line  to 
receive  the  beautiful  stand  of  colors  prepared  by  the  ladies 
of  Pottsville  for  presentation  to  the  regiment.  The 
standard  was  made  of  heavy  blue  silk,  with  the  State 
arms  of  Pennsylvania  on  one  side,  and  the  arms  of  the  United 
States  on  the  reverse,  both  of  which  were  surrounded  by 
scrolls  containing  the  names  of  the  following  battles  in  which 
the  regiment  had  been  engaged:  Bull  Run,  Aug.  29,  1862. 
Chantilly,  September  14,  1862.  Antietam,  September  17, 
1862.  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862.  The  guidons  were 
four  in  number,  a  small  American  flag,  and  three,  red,  white 
and  blue,  made  of  stout  twilled  silk.  On  each  was  inscribed: 
"48th  P.  V."  Hon.  James  H.  Campbell,  member  of  Congress, 
of  that  district,  made  the  presentation  in  an  eloquent  and 
patriotic  speech,  as  follows: 

Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  48th  Regiment: — I  have  been  honored 
by  the  ladies  of  Pottsville,  your  sisters,  wives,  and  mothers,  with  the 
pleasing  duty  of  presenting  this  flag,  guidons  and  markers,  as  their 
testimonial  to  and  appreciation  of  your  patriotism,  bravery  and 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  Union. 

You  bring  with  you  tattered  flags  from  glorious  battle-fields — 
flags  rent  in  conflict,  but  of  stainless  honor.  The  ladies  of  Pottsville 
beg  leave  to  place  by  the  side  of  these,  this  beautiful  flag,  the  work  of 
their  fair  hands. 

Where  the  white  horses  romp  in  the  azure  field,  you  see 
inscribed  Chantilly,  Antietam,  South  Mountain  and  East  Tennessee, 
one  and  all  recalling  memories  of  heroic  deeds  that  will  live  while 
time  endures. 

The  fair  donors  have  watched  with  sympthetic  bosoms,  your 
trials,  bravery  and  suffering — the  deadly  struggle,  the  sufferings  in 
hospitals,  on  the  weary  march  and  by  the  dreamless  bivouac,  all 
heroically  borne  by  you.  While  they  have  shed  tears  for  the  gallant 
dead,  they  come  to-day,  with  words  of  welcome  and  smiles  of 
gratitude  to  greet  their  returning  brothers  and  husbands. 

Soldiers,  you  have  registered  a  vow  in  Heaven  that  the  old 
flag  shall  fly  in  all  its  original  splendor  over  every  inch  of  territory 
the  Nation  ever  possessed — and  that  too,  over  free  territory.  A  few 
years  since  it  was  loved  and  respected  everywhere, — for  it  was 


RE-ENLISTMENT   AND   A   VISIT   HOME  159 

everywhere,  by  glacial  pinnacles,  and  under  the  suns  of  the  tropics — 
in  the  marts  of  the  old  world,  and  the  wilderness  of  the  new.  It  must 
not  now  be  shorn  of  its  glory. 

Soldiers,  you  carry  peace  on  the  points  of  your  bayonets,  and  true 
diplomacy  in  your  cartridge  boxes.  We  can  have  no  true,  lasting  or 
honorable  peace  until  the  rebels  submit  to  the  laws  of  the  country. 
We  as  good  citizens,  cheerfully  submit  to  constituted  authority.  We 
ask  no  more  of  them;  we  will  submit  to  no  less. 

Mr.  Campbell  concluded  by  welcoming  the  soldiers  of  the  48th 
home,  in  the  name  of  the  ladies  of  Pottsville. 

At  the  conclusion  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  for 
the  ladies. 

Col.  Sigfried  replied  in  a  neat  and  appropriate  speech. 
He  sincerely  thanked  the  ladies  for  the  honor  conferred  upon 
his  command  by  them,  in  their  beautiful  gift,  and  promised  that 
the  colors  should  be  brought  back  from  the  field  of  battle  in 
honor,  or  not  at  all. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  response,  Col.  Sigfried  was  the 
recipient  of  a  beautiful  wreath,  handed  to  him  by  a  young  lady. 

The  procession  then  formed  and  proceeded  up  Centre 
street  in  the  following  order: 

THE  RECEPTION 

>  Gen.  Jas.  Nagle  and  aids,  Col.  Oliphant  and  staff,  Battalion 
of  Invalid  Corps,  Pottsville  Band,  48th  Regiment,  under  Col. 
Sigfried;  Honorably  discharged  and  convalescent  soldiers, 
under  command  of  Major  James  Wren ;  7th  Penna.  Cavalry, 
under  command  of  Major  Jennings;  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery, 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Hall ;  Miners'  Lodge,  No.  20,  I.  O. 
O.  F. ;  carriages  containing  committee  of  arrangements, 
citizens  on  horseback. 

As  the  procession  commenced  moving  a  National  salute 
was  fired  by  the  New  York  Battery. 

The  veterans  were  greeted  all  along  the  route  by  cheers 
and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs.  The  streets  were  filled 
by  thousands  of  people.  A  more  animated  spectacle  is 
rarely  witnessed  here.  The  tattered  battle  flags  of  the  48th 
Regiment  were  objects  of  great  interest.  After  passing  over 
the  route  designated  by  the  Chief  Marshal,  the  veterans 


160  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

halted  in  front  of  the  Union  Hotel,  when  they  were 
welcomed  to  their  homes  by  John  Bannan,  Esq.,  on  behalf 
of  the  citizens.  After  a  fervent,  patriotic  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Koons,  Col.  Sigfried  thanked  the  citizens  for  their  kind 
reception,  and  spoke  of  the  spirit  that  animated  his  men  in 
re-enlisting.  He  hoped  that  the  command  would  return  to 
the  front  recruited  up  to  its  full  strength. 

A  collation  was  prepared  by  the  ladies  at  the  Union 
Hotel,  of  which  the  regiment  partook. 

The  regiment  had  340  men  on  its  return,  and  we  hope 
to  see  this  gallant  Schuylkill  County  regiment  not  only 
re-enlisted  here,  but  to  see  it  return  under  its  able  officers 
recruited  up  to  its  original  strength.  The  48th  is  unquestion 
ably  one  of  the  finest  infantry  regiments  in  the  service.  No 
better  material  ever  left  any  community  to  fight  for  freedom 
and  the  rights  of  men. — From  the  Miners'  Journal. 

Our  reception  was  warm  and  evidenced  the  great  sym 
pathy  the  loyal  people  felt  for  the  soldier  and  the  cause  for 
which  he  was  enlisted.  If  monuments  and  pensions  had  been 
in  order  at  this  time  every  member  of  the  48th  could  have  had 
a  monument  twelve  feet  high,  with  an  eagle  on  top  of  it, 
promised  to  him  when  he  would  die  and  a  pension  of  $20  or 
more  per  month  for  the  balance  of  his  natural  life. 

Recruiting  progressed  lively  upon  the  return  of  these 
veterans,  enabling  the  commands  to  which  they  were  attached, 
to  return  to  the  field  in  a  few  weeks,  recruited  up  to  more  than 
the  maximum  number  required  by  the  regulations.  While  at 
home  "the  boys"  enjoyed  the  relaxation  from  their  nearly  three 
years  of  hard  and  dangerous  service,  hugely. 

From  Miners'  Journal,  March  5th,  1864: 

"On  Saturday  night  last  a  tragic  affair  happened  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Shields  in  Silver  Creek,  this  County, 
involving  the  death  of  a  soldier  of  the  48th  Regiment  and 
also  a  resident,  named  John  Stinson.  The  murders  were 
committed  about  ten  o'clock  last  night  and  information 
received  here  about  eleven  o'clock,  Constable  Chrisman 


RE-ENLISTMENT   AND  A  VISIT   HOME  161 

obtained  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  the  men  charged  with 
the  crime. 

"With  a  squad  of  the  ist  N.  Y.  Artillery  he  went  up  and 
arrested  four  men,  named  Patrick  Goldey,  Hugh  or  Peter 
Curren,  Charles  Ryan  and  Peter  Hagans.  The  accused  were 
brought  to  Pottsville,  and  had  a  hearing  before  Justice  Reed 
at  three  o'clock  Sunday  afternoon.  The  men  murdered 
were  James  Shields,  a  member  of  Captain  Winlack's  com 
pany,  48th  P.  V.,  and  John  Stinson.  The  principal  witnesses 
examined  at  the  hearing  were  Airs.  Shields,  a  sister-in-law 
of  James,  and  David  McAllister,  of  Co.  "E,"  of  the  same 
regiment.  Shields  was  stabbed  in  the  heart,  and  received 
several  gashes  in  his  abdomen. 

"At  the  trial  of  the  murderers,  Curran  got  five  years, 
and  the  rest  were  allowed  their  liberty." 

AGAIN    TO   THE   FRONT 

Our  furlough  expired  on  the  4th  of  March,  and  on  the 
5th  the  regiment  assembled  in  Pottsville  to  go  to  the  front, 
but  were  greeted  by  the  welcome  intelligence  that  the  time 
was  extended  to  the  7th.  Upon  that  date,  when  again  assemb 
ling  at  the  rendezvous,  word  was  again  received  that  we  had 
a  respite  until  the  I4th.  On  that  date  we  left  Pottsville  and 
reached  Camp  Curtin,  at  Harrisburg,  with  full  ranks,  recruited 
by  enlistments  during  our  furlough.  On  the  i8th  we  left, 
via  Lancaster,  for  Philadelphia,  and  from  there  to  Baltimore 
by  rail.  We  left  Baltimore  by  steamer  for  Annapolis,  Md.,  and 
went  into  wooden  quarters  at  Camp  Parole,  the  next  day 
changing  to  canvas  quarters,  as  w>e  found  the  barracks  con 
tained  inhabitants  that  did  no  talking,  but  kept  the  soldiers 
scratching.  We  were  still  in  the  ist  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  Qth 
Army  Corps,  commanded  by  General  Burnside.  The  brigade 
was  changed  somewhat.  It  now  consisted  of  the  7th  and  4th 
Rhode  Island,  35th,  36th  and  58th  Massachusetts,  48th  and 
45th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  We  exchanged  the  Enfield 
rifled  muskets  that  we  had  obtained  at  Xewberne,  N.  C,  for 
the  more  modern  Springfield  rifled  muskets,  a  much 
better  gun. 

TT 


1G2  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH  REGIMENT, 

PENNSYLVANIA    VET.    VOLS.— ROSTER 

FIELD   AND    STAFF 

Colonel,  J.  K.  Sigfried;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Henry  Pleasants; 
Major,  J.  A.  Gilmour;  Surgeon,  W.  R.  D.  Blackwood;  Chaplain,  Rev. 
L.  B.  Beckley;  Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  B.  Culver;  Adjutant,  D.  D.  Mc- 
Ginnes;  Quartermaster,  Thomas  Bohannan;  Sergeant-Major,  D.  B. 
Brown;  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  C.  W.  Schnerr;  Com.  Sergeant,  J.  F.  Werner; 
Hospital  Steward,  W.  H.  Hardell. 

(FROM  MUSTER  ROLLS  IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG). 
COMPANY  A. 

Captain,  Henry  Boyer;  ist  Lieutenant,  Levi  B.  Eveland;  2nd 
Lieutenant,  Albert  C.  Huckey;  2nd  Sergeant,  William  Taylor;  3rd 
Sergeant,  Abraham  F.  Seltzer;  4th  Sergeant,  Henry  H.  Price;  5th 
Sergeant,  John  Galagher;  ist  Corporal,  John  Taylor;  2nd  Corporal, 
Franklin  Frederici ;  3rd  Corporal,  Jacob  S.  Honsberger ;  4th  Cor 
poral,  Charles  Brandenburg;  5th  Corporal,  Monroe  Heckman;  6th 
Corporal,  James  S.  Eveland;  7th  Corporal,  James  Meek;  8th  Corporal, 
Thomas  B.  Boyer;  Musician,  William  H.  Hinkley;  Wagoner,  William 
D.  Martin. 

PRIVATES. — George  Airgood,  John  Adams,  James  D.  Ash,  Elias 
Britton,  Israel  Britton,  William  Booth,  James  Becker,  William  Beltz, 
George  Bond,  *Wm.  Bachman,  James  Baker,  George  Betz,  Thomas 
Carter,  John  Cochran,  B.  F.  C.  Dreibelbeis,  WTilliam  Dreibelbeis,  Joseph 
Dreibelbeis,  Henry  Davis,  William  Eddinger,  Samuel  Eckroth,  Fred 
erick  Ely,  Christian  Ferg,  Charles  Goodman,  Edward  Galagher, 
Abraham  Greenawaldt,  David  Houser,  M.  J.  Hunsberger,  John  J. 
Huntzinger,  Lewis  Hessinger,  John  Hegg,  Hiram  Hail,  Philander  N. 
Hause,  Jordan  C.  Hause,  William  J.  Huckey,  Wiloughby  Hine,  Elias 
Hoffman,  John  Holman,  Charles  W.  Hillegas,  Franklin  Halderman, 
George  Hendricks,  John  Hugg,  Charles  Jones,  William  Knapp,  Benja 
min  Keller,  William  A.  Koch,  Henry  E.  Kerst,  Charles  Krueger,  Willis 
L.  Kerst,  Franklin  King,  James  Kelcliner,  Jacob  Kershner,  Daniel  H. 
Koch,  William  Kaufman,  Morgan  Leiser,  Lewis  R.  Loye,  George 
Livingston,  Joel  Lins,  Elias  Lins,  *Marcus  M.  Mallard,  William  H. 
Meek,  David  Meek,  John  McClean,  Robert  McClean,  Samuel  B.  Moyer, 


REORGANIZATION  AND  ROSTER  163 

Jacob  W.  Moyer,  Jacob  M.  Moyer,  George  Miller,  Joel  Marshall,  John 
C  Medler,  Monroe  Martin,  Jabez  McFarlin,  Isaac  A.  Otto,  Richard  B. 
Perry,  Philip  Richards,  Lewis  M.  Robinhold,  John  Richelderfer, 
Francis  M.  Stidham,  Frank  W.  Simons,  Nelson  Simons,  H.  Lewis 
Sterner,  James  W.  Sterner,  Simon  Snyder,  Thomas  P.  Smith,  J. 
•Lewis  Smith,  Jonas  Sigfried,  Jacob  D.  Sigfried,  Nathan  Sitler,  John 
H.  Sheaffer,  John  W.  Sheaffer,  Chas.  Abel  J.  St.  Glair,  Nicholas  Snay- 
berger,  Henry  Schreyer,  Jesse  Springer,  Samuel  Schollenberger, 
Augustus  Shickman,  Oliver  Williams,  John  Weibel,  F.  H.  Wagner, 
Simon  Whetstone. 

*Deserted. 

Sergeant  Henry  Honsberger  appointed    Sergeant-Major. 

Dismissed. — Captain    D.    B.    Kauffman. 

Recapitulation. — Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned 
officers,  12;  musician,  i;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  99;  dismissed,  i. 
Total,  117. 

COMPANY    B. 

Captain,  Ulysses  A.  Bast;  ist  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Hume; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Thomas  Johnson;  ist  Sergeant,  Thos.  P.  Williams; 
2nd  Sergeant,  John  Watkins ;  3rd  Sergeant,  Robert  Campbell;  4th 
Sergeant,  Wm.  Kissinger;  5th  Sergeant,  John  Homer;  ist  Corporal, 
Wm.  H.  Ward;  2nd  Corporal,  David  J.  Davis;  3rd  Corporal,  Clemence 
Beltzer;  4th  Corporal,  Sebastian  Rickert;  5th  Corporal,  Joseph  Rarig; 
6th  Corporal,  James  Rider;  7th  Corporal,  Isaac  L.  Fritz;  Musician, 
George  W.  Johnson. 

PRIVATES. — Henry  Atman,  William  Atkins,  George  Albright,  John 
Barren,  William  R.  Brooks,  John  E.  Bubeck,  Alfred  E.  Bindley,  John 
Brown,  Garner  Bell,  *Daniel  M.  Bankes,  David  Deitz,  John  Deitz, 
William  Engle,  John  D.  French,  Benj.  Glouser,  Thomas  Griffiths, 
Samuel  Heckman,  Carey  Heater,  *John  Haker,  Jacob  Hammer,  Chas. 
H.  Kershner,  Christian  Louer,  Abraham  R.  Markle,  Laurentus  C. 
Moyer,  Thomas  J.  Muldoon,  William  Reppert,  William  Stevenson, 
Albert  J.  Shifferstein,  Gotleib  Shoufler,  William  Schwartz,  Lewis  Stein- 
hour,  Henry  Shoppel,  William  Williams,  Jacob  Wigner,  William  Wise, 
Daniel  Way,  John  Yonker. 

*Deserted. 

Recapitulation. — Commissioned  officers,  3 ;  non-commissioned 
officers,  12 ;  musician,  i ;  privates,  37.  Total,  53. 

COMPANY    C. 

Captain,  George  W.  Gowen;  ist  Lieutenant,  Charles  Loeser; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  William  Clark;  ist  Sergeant,  James  Clark;  2nd 
Sergeant,  Henry  Weiser;  3rd  Sergeant,  Jonas  Geier;  4th  Sergeant 
John  Rorety;  5th  Sergeant,  Samuel  Wallace;  ist  Corporal,  Samuel 


164  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Weiser;  2nd  Corporal,  John  Shalvey;  3rd  Corporal,  Henry 
McDernold;  4th  Corporal,  John  Shalvey;  3rd  Corporal,  Henry 
Rudge;  6th  Corporal,  James  Nicholson;  7th  Corporal,  William 
Livingston,  Musician,  Lewis  Howard,  Musician,  Robert  Rogers, 
Wagoner,  Gilbert  Graham. 

PRIVATES.— Abraham  A.  Acker,  Dennis  Adam,  Harrison  Betz, 
Thomas  Boyle,  Murt.  Brennen,  Daniel  Brown,  Robert  Clark,  James 
Coakley,  William  Daubert,  Andrew  Dunleavy,  William  Demmerce, 
John  Daugherty,  John  Dolan,  Henry  Earley,  Michael  Earley,  William 
Fitzpatrick,  Patrick  Farrel,  Jacob  A.  Gruver,  John  Harrison,  Sam 
uel  Harrison,  John  F.  Hartman,  Jacob  Haines,  Casper  Henry, 
George  W.  Hatch,  James  Horan,  William  J.  Haines,  William  John 
ston,  Allen  A.  D.  Long,  Enoch  Lambert,  Anthony  McCoy,  Edward 
McGinnis,  Alfred  W.  Miller,  Michael  Mohan,  William  Neeley, 
Andrew  Neeley,  Richard  Ryan,  William  Sweeney,  Edward  Sweeney, 
George  C.  Seibert,  Isaac  Straugh,  Toban  Martin,  John  S.  Wheatly, 
John  Whitaker. 

Recapitulation. — Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned 
officers,  12;  musicians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  43.  Total,  61. 

COMPANY  D. 

ist  Lieutenant,  James  K.  Helms;  2nd  Lieutenant,  Henry  E. 
Stichter;  ist  Sergeant,  Henry  C.  Graeff;  2nd  Sergeant,  George 
Bowman;  3rd  Sergeant,  H.  C.  Burkhalter;  4th  Sergeant,  H.  Rothen- 
berger;  5th  Sergeant,  Albert  R.  Navinger;  Sup.  Sergeant  William 
Timmons;  ist  Corporal,  Boto  Otto;  2nd  Corporal,  Franklin  Hoch; 
3rd  Corporal,  Walter  P.  Aims;  4th  Corporal,  Jonathan  Deitrich; 
5th  Corporal,  Philip  Beckman;  6th  Corporal,  Franklin  Dorward; 
7th  Corporal,  Edward  Lenhart;  8th  Corporal,  David  Smith;  Musi 
cian,  Charles  Brobst;  Musician,  Jeremiah  Meinder;  Wagoner, 
John  W.  Derr. 

PRIVATES. — George  Artz,  Charles  Arndt,  James  L.  Baum,  Chas. 
W.  Baum,  Orando  Baum,  John  B.  Boyer,  Joseph  Buttinger,  Jonathan 
Bower,  *  John  Brown,  George  S.  Beissel,  Patrick  Covligan,  Jackson 
L.  Casper,  G.  W.  H.  Cooper,  Jackson  Derr,  Levi  Derr,  John  Dolan, 
Charles  Deitrich,  Lewis  Deitrich,  Daniel  Deitrich,  John  Deitrich, 
James  J.  Dalious,  Henry  Dorward,  Edward  J.  Ebert,  Samuel  Eppley, 
Solomon  Eyster,  Frank  B.  Graeff,  Horatio  Grim,  George  Hartz, 
Mattis  Hinan,  Charles  F.  Hesser,  John  Hoover,  Thomas  Jones, 
*  Stacy  Johnston,  Isaiah  Kline,  Daniel  Knarr,  Jonathan  Kauffman. 
Nathan  Kessler  Samuel  Kessler,  James  Klinger,  Francis  J.  Krieger, 
John  Kehler,  Andrew  Knittle,  Jacob  Klauser,  Charles  Kline,  Joseph 
Lindemuth,  Philip  Lettrick,  Jonas  Miller,  Gust.  H.  Miller,  Zachary 
F.  Mover,  Henry  D.  Moyer,  William  F.  Moyer,  David  Maury, 
Daniel  Merwine,  *James  Nolan,  Daniel  Okom,  Jonathan  Okom, 


REORGANIZATION  AND  ROSTER  165 

Simon  Ritter,  Jonas  Z.  Raber,  Samuel  Reeser,  William  Ryan,  P.  L. 
Strausser,  Alfred  J.  Stichter,  Frank  B.  Shriver,  William  H.  Smith, 
David  Williams,  William  H.  Williams,  Daniel  Weldy,  Amos  Wai- 
bridge,  Daniel  Wolf,  William  Weikel,  John  D.  Weikel,  Samuel 
Wenrich,  Aaron  B.  Wagner,  Solomon  Yarnell,  Joseph  Zeigler,  Elias 
Zimmerman,  Peter  C.  Krieger. 

*Deserted. 

Commissioned  officers,  2;  non-commissioned  officers,  14; 
musicians,  2;  wagoners,  i;  privates,  77.  Total,  96. 

COMPANY   E. 

Captain,  William  Winlack;  1st  Lieutenant,  Thomas  Bohannan; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Charles  A.  Schnerr;  ist  Sergeant,  John  C.  McElrath; 
2nd  Sergeant,  James  May;  3rd  Sergeant,  William  C.  Cinens ;  4th 
Sergeant,  Thomas  Tosh;  5th  Sergeant,  David  McAllister;  ist  Cor 
poral,  Samuel  Clemens;  2nd  Corporal,  Samuel  Beddall;  3rd  Corporal, 
Patrick  Lynch;  4th  Corporal,  James  Greener;  5th  Corporal,  William 
J.  Morgan;  6th  Corporal,  Robert  Penman;  7th  Corporal,  John  Mercer; 
8th  Corporal,  John  Penman;  Musician,  George  Latham;  Musician, 
George  J.  Heisler;  Wagoner,  William  Jefferson. 

PRIVATES. — Henry  Auman,  Frank  Boyer,  Daniel  Boyer,  Joshua 
Boyer,  Daniel  D  Barnett,  Robert  Beverage,  Michael  Brennan, 
Michael  Bohannan,  James  Brown,  John  Brennan,  Patrick  Brennan, 
James  Conners,  Lindsey  H.  Campbell,  Albert  Cumings,  Thomas 
Clemens,  John  Clemens,  Jerome  Castle,  John  DeFrain,  Cornelius 
Dress,  Thomas  Devine,  *Robert  Devine,  John  Dooley,  Archibald 
Dunlap,  John  Danagh,  William  Evens,  William  Evens,  Thomas 
Evens,  Lawrence  Farrel,  William  J.  Fager,  Valentine  Frantz,  Patrick 
Grant,  Martin  Gutschall,  William  Gaynor,  William  Hodget,  Thomas 
Hobwood,  Isaac  Hardee,  Thomas  Hall,  John  Jones,  George  A. 
James,  William  C.  James,  John  Judge,  William  B.  Kane,  Alexandria 
Kelly,  Michael  Landry,  Joseph  H.  Lord,  John  Lyons,  Timothy  Leary, 
George  McMily,  Robert  McElrath,  William  McElrath,  David 
Morgan,  John  Murry,  John  Major,  James  Mercer,  William  Mullen, 
Robert  Meredith,  Jr.,  Robert  Meredith,  Sr.,  Thomas  McGee,  James 
McLaughlin,  James  Meighan,  John  McRay,  Thomas  McClennan, 
John  McSorely,  Edward  McGinnis,  Michael  Muir,  Mungo  Penman, 
John  D.  Pocket,  Henry  Pierce,  David  Quinn,  Charles  Quinn,  David 
E.  Reedy,  Patrick  Rodgers,  William  Reasons,  James  Regan,  Daniel 
Ramsay,  Abraham  Sigmund,  George  Stout,  James  Schields,  Alfred 
Spotts,  William  Simmers,  George  W.  Schaeffer,  Robert  B.  Thomp 
son,  Thomas  Whaland,  Benjamin  Woomer,  David  Williams,  Anthony 
Wade,  John  Watson,  Jeremiah  Weaver,  William  Young. 

*Deserted. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  13:  musi 
cians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  89.  Total,  108. 


166  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain,  Joseph  H.  Hoskings;  ist  Lieutenant,  Henry  James; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  John  L.  Williams;  ist  Sergeant,  James  A.  Easton; 
2nd  Sergeant,  Henry  Reese;  3rd  Sergeant,  Joseph  Gould;  4th 
Sergeant,  Richard  Hopkins;  5th  Sergeant,  George  Edwards;  6th 
Sergeant,  Charles  W.  Haines;  ist  Corporal,  Robert  D.  Paden;  2nd 
Corporal,  Wm.  J.  Wells;  3rd  Corporal,  Patrick  Monaghan;  4th 
Corporal,  John  Powell;  5th  Corporal,  Austin  Farrow;  6th  Corporal, 
Robert  Wallace;  7th  Corporal,  Isaac  Barto;  8th  Corporal,  Samuel 
Glenn;  Musician,  John  Lawrence;  Musician,  David  Fulton;  Wagoner, 
William  Holsey. 

PRIVATES. — Isaac  Ackley,  James  Andrews,  William  Ackenbach, 
Richard  M.  Adams,  William  Ball,  James  Brennan,  James  Brennan 
(two  in  the  Company  of  the  same  name ;  we  designated  them 
as  No.  i  and  No.  2  on  the  First  Sergeant's  roll-book),  Patrick 
Boren,  Murtough  Brennan,  James  Bradley,  William  Burland, 
James  Bambrick,  William  Bush,  Anthony  Carrol,  *  Thomas  Curry, 
William  Carroll,  Patrick  Carroll,  John  Carroll,  James  Carr,  John 
A.  Crawford,  John  Crawford,  Samuel  Dunkerly,  John  Devine, 
William  E.  Duffy,  John  Devlin,  Simon  Devlin,  William  H.  Davis, 
Elijah  Defrehn,  Henry  Dillman,  Thomas  Davis,  John  E.  Davis, 
Patrick  Dolan,  David  Davis,  John  Eddy,  William  Fulton,  Henry 
Ferrick,  Joseph  Finley,  Thomas  Garlan,  David  Griffiths,  John 
Griffiths,  Henry  C.  Heisler,  John  Hosgood,  Henry  Holsey,  James 
Houte,  Hamilton  Hause,  Cyrus  Haines,  Thomas  James,  George  H. 
Jones,  Sampson  Jenkins,  David  T.  Krieger,  Jacob  Kuhns,  George 
W.  Kohler,  William  H.  Kohler,  Thomas  D.  Lewis,  *John  Lyng, 
Peter  Litchfield,  Cornelius  Leary,  Thomas  Lyshon,  Isaac  Lewis, 
John  Lawless,  Michael  Lavell,  John  Morrissy,  *  John  McGee,  Thomas 
Murphy,  Israel  Manning,  James  Murphy,  David  McElvie,  William 
Moors,  George  Manders,  James  W.  Manning,  John  McVay,  Henry 
McCann,  Patrick  Mallen,  William  Murphy,  James  Paully,  Hugh 
Pickford,  Edward  G.  Pugh,  John  Phillips,  Frank  Queeny,  Edward  J. 
Robson,  John  J.  Reese,  George  Ramer,  Michael  Ryan,  George 
Sheridan,  George  W.  Stellwagon,  William  Smith,  Edward  L.  Shissler, 
Timothy  Shaeffer,  Horace  F.  Straub,  Thomas  M.  Thomas,  David 
F.  Thiel  William  E.  Taylor,  Edward  Turner,  Andrew  Werner, 
Michael  Welsh,  Richard  Williams,  Lewis  Woods,  Edward  R.  West, 
Michael  Wilson,  Benjamin  F.  Wiest,  Thomas  J.  Williams,  Augustus 
H.  Witman,  Robert  Wallace,  *  Thomas  Wilson. 

*Deserted. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  14; 
musicians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privatees,  104.  Total,  124. 


REORGANIZATION  AND  ROSTER  167 

COMPANY  G. 

Captain,  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell;  ist  Lieutenant,  Curtis  C. 
Pollock;  2nd  Lieutenant,  Henry  C.  Jackson;  ist  Sergeant,  Richard 
M.  Jones;  2nd  Sergeant,  Robert  Smith,  3rd  Sergeant,  William 
Auttman;  4th  Sergeant,  Chas.  F.  Kuentzler;  5th  Sergeant,  Charles 
B.  Evans;  ist  Corporal,  George  Farns;  2nd  Corporal,  Edward  H. 
Sillyinan;  3rd  Corporal,  Edward  Flanagan;  4th  Corporal,  John  W. 
Smith;  5th  Corporal,  Daniel  Donne;  6th  Corporal,  Monroe  Schreffler; 
7th  Corporal,  Alexander  Govan;  8th  Corporal,  Samuel  Banghart; 
Musician,  David  Eberle;  Wagoner,  Jacob  Dietrich. 

PRIVATES. — James  Auman,  William  P.  Atkinson,  John  Arm 
strong,  Abraham  Abrahams,  James  Allison,  John  Becker,  John  R. 
Brown,  David  P.  Brown,  Robert  D.  Brown,  Daniel  Boyer,  Patrick 
Boyle,  Michael  Clark,  Joseph  Cheatham,  Patrick  Cunningham, 
Andrew  Colihan,  Charles  Clark,  John  Drobel,  Harrison  Dates,  John 
Delaney,  Patrick  Daley,  Clay  *Wr.  Evans,  William  Fame,  James 
Frazier,  Benj.  Flickenger,  John  Galligan,  Matthias  Goodman,  Jacob 
Gwinner  Nicholas  Gross,  Patrick  Grant,  John  Humble,  Adam 
Hendley,  John  P.  Hodgson,  Howard  J.  Jones,  John  P.  Kuentzler, 
John  Kautter,  Henry  Krebs,  Jr.,  David  Lechler,  George  W.  Law 
rence,  William  Maurer,  William  Martin,  Charles  H.  May,  Jonathan 
Mover,  Winfield  S.  McDaniels,  Patrick  Nash,  Peter  Norrigang, 
John  Reppert,  Dewald  Schrow,  James  Sennett,  Christian  Schaeffer, 
William  Shaw,  Patrick  Savage,  William  Stall,  Patrick  Smith,  James 
R.  Spencer,  William  Simpson,  John  Wright,  Adolphus  Wolbridge, 
William  Williams,  John  Frazier,  Patrick  Galligan,  John  Ragang, 
William  Slatterly. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  12; 
musicians  2;  wagoner,! ;  privates,  62.  Total  80. 

Clay  W.  Evans,  who  originally  belonged  to  Co.  "G,"  of 
the  48th  Regiment,  was  promoted  to  2nd  lieutenant  in  the 
3ist  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  on  Dec.  ist,  1864,  while  the 
48th  Regiment  was  in  camp  in  Fort  Sedgwick.  He  joined 
his  regiment  and  was  assigned  to  Co.  "E"  and  the  command 
was  detailed  for  duty  in  the  Army  of  the  James,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  General  E.  O.  C.  Ord,  and 
performed  picket  duty  along  General  Butler's  famous  Dutch 
Gap  Canal,  being  under  fire  almost  continuously  the  entire 
winter  of  1864.  In  March,  1865,  Evans  was  promoted  to 
ist  lieutenant  and  placed  in  command  of  Co.  "G,"  of  the 


168  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

same  regiment.  The  division  to  which  this  regiment 
belonged  was  transferred  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac  just 
previous  to  General  Grant's  final  campaign,  and  participated 
with  the  24th  Army  Corps  in  all  the  engagements  and 
marches  up  to  and  including  the  surrender  at  Appomattox. 
Subsequent  to  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  General 
R.  E.  Lee,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Texas,  and  after  a 
stormy  voyage  of  thirty-two  days  landed  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Rio  Grande  river  and  did  duty  from  Brazos  de 
Santiago  to  Eagle  Pass  until  November,  1865.  Lieut.  Evans 
was  mustered  out  and  discharged  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  Dec. 
3rd,  1865.  He  was  promoted  to  captain  in  Nov.,  1865,  but 
was  never  mustered. 

COMPANY  H. 

Captain,  William  J.  Hinkle;  ist  Lieutenant,  Alex.  S.  Bowen; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Samuel  B.  Laubenstine;  ist  Sergeant,  Alba  C. 
Thompson;  2nd  Sergeant,  Thomas  H.  Sillyman;  3rd  Sergeant,  Peter 
Radelberger;  4th  Sergeant,  Henry  Bernsteel;  5th  Sergeant,  Daniel 
Moser;  6th  Sergeant,  *David  B.  Brown;  ist  Corporal  Henry  Foy; 
2nd  Corporal,  Anthony  Herbert;  3rd  Corporal,  Charles  Norrigan;  4th 
Corporal,  Charles  Focht;  5th  Corporal,  William  Burlee;  6th  Corporal, 
William  A.  Lloyd;  7th  Corporal,  Henry  C.  Mathews;  8th  Corporal, 
Jacob  A.  Witman;  Musician,  Andrew  J.  Snyder,  Musician,  James 
Marshall;  Wagoner,  George  W.  Christian. 

PRIVATES. — Lewis  Aurand,  Charles  Aurand,  Joseph  Alexander, 
Martin  Acorn,  Crawford  Bennie,  John  Baer,  Isaac  Bannon,  James 
Batdorf,  James  Mulholland,  Joseph  Metz,  Charles  Meter,  Edward 
Metz,  Charles  DeLong  William  Donnelly,  John  Donnelly,  Morris 
Everly,  Charles  Eberle,  Edward  Edwards,  Joseph  Edwards,  George 
T.  Eisenhuth,  Charles  Fetterman,  Isaac  Fetterman,  Emanuel  Fox, 
Samuel  Fryberger,  Alfred  C.  Forney,  John  Gallagher,  Anthony 
Gallagher,  Thos.  Gannon,  John  M.  Howell,  John  H.  C.  Heffner,  Win. 
H.  Haley,  Jos.  S.  Hayes,  Philip  Heffron,  Geo.  Halladey,  David  Baker. 
William  Barr,  John  C.  Benedict,  Abraham  Benscoter,  Harrison 
Bright,  Daniel  R.  Bright,  Thomas  Beagley,  Jefferson  W.  Beyerly, 
James  Wentsell,  James  Welsh,  John  Wineland,  Josiah  F.  Wildermuth, 
Jacob  Weise,  Anthony  Yeick,  Job  Hirst,  Jas.  R.  Hetherington, 
William  Huber,  John  Jennings,  Harry  Jones,  Wm.  V.  B.  Kimmell, 
Frank  Krebs,  John  F.  Kalbach,  John  F.  Klienginna  Benjamin  Roller, 
Lewis  W.  Kopp.  Charles  Kyer,  William  Loeser,  Daniel  Latter, 


REORGANIZATION  AND  ROSTER  169 

George  E.  Lewis,  William  D.  Lloyd,  John  Lloyd,  Arthur  Murphy, 
Joseph  Moore,  George  W.  Morey,  John  Carroll,  Henry  F.  Christian, 
Joseph,  Chester,  Daniel  Cooke,  John  Cruikshank,  Thomas  Davis, 
Albert  Davis,  William  Davis,  Joseph  Metzinger,  Michael  Melarkey, 
Conrad  Miller,  Adam  Moy,  Daniel  Ohnmacht,  John  H.  Olewine, 
Michael  O'Brien,  Anthony  O'Donnell,  Thomas  Palmer,  John  Prit- 
chard,  John  W.  Ray,  Henry  Reb,  David  Slenker,  Reuben  Snyder, 
Wm.  Schnieder,  John  Stevenson,  Samuel  T.  Skeen,  Thomas  Severn, 
John  Spears,  Michael  Scott,  George  Shilthorn,  Peter  Smith,  Henry 
Shay,  Ambrose  H.  Titus,  Jonathan  Tillett,  George  Uhl. 
*Sergeant  Major. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  14;  musi 
cians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  102.  Total,  122. 

COMPANY    I. 

Captain,  B.  B.  Schuck;  ist  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Edwards; 
2nd  Lieutenant,  Francis  D.  Koch;  ist  Sergeant,  Oliver  Davis;  2nd 
Sergeant,  Luke  Swain;  3rd  Sergeant,  Jacob  Ongstodt;  4th  Sergeant, 
Frank  Allebach;  5th  Sergeant,  James  McReynolds;  ist  Corporal, 
Geo.  W.  Klase;  2nd  Corporal,  James  Miller;  3rd  Corporal,  Daniel 
Klase;  4th  Corporal,  Henry  W.  Crater;  5th  Corporal,  Wesley  Knittle: 
6th  Corporal,  Benj.  Williams;  ;th  Elias  C.  Kehl;  Musician,  William 
Faust;  Musician,  Jacob  Bechman;  Wagoner,  Israel  Kramer. 

PRIVATES. — Isaac  Beltz,  Isaac  K.  Beltz,  Frank  Boner,  Herman 
Buntz,  John  F.  Bechman,  John  Brown,  Cyrus  Derrick,  John  Daleus, 
Benj.  Drehrer,  S.  T.  DeFrehn,  Geo.  Dresh,  Martin  Dooley,  David 
Deitz,  John  Deitz,  Abraham  Eisenhower,  William  Engel,  Henry  J. 
Ege,  John  Frehn,  Lewis  Fauss,  Albert  Fritz,  Nathan  Fourman, 
Joseph  Gilbert,  Henry  Goodman,  Lewis  J.  Garber,  David  Garber, 
Chas.  H.  Good,  Josiah  Hein,  Henry  H.  Hill,  Frederick  Henry, 
James  Heiser,  B.  A.  Houser,  Charles  W.  Horn,  Washington  Horn, 
Samuel  Hollister,  Thomas  Jones,  Wm.  F.  Beyerle,  Daniel  Bankis. 
James  Boner,  Lewis  Blablehamer,  John  Barren,  Chas.  Curlis,  Charles 
Krater,  Peter  Keller,  B.  B.  Kershner,  Daniel  J.  Kehl,  Samuel  F. 
Kehl,  Hugh  Koch,  Charles  R.  Koch,  Allen  Koch,  William  Kramer, 
Charles  S.  Leiser,  Charles  Lindemuth,  John  Link,  Adam  Lengert, 
Henry  Madenfort,  Lucien  Monbeck,  Albert  Mack,  Jonathan  Mowrey, 
John  R.  Mauger,  Barney  McArdel,  John  S.  Moycr,  William  Mar- 
berger,  Daniel  Neyer,  Samuel  Neiswender,  Henry  A.  Neyman. 
Nathan  Nelfert,  William  Owens,  William  J.  Price,  Theodore  Peltz, 
John  Clark,  John  H.  Cooper,  Patrick  Crowe,  Joseph  Cobus,  Elias 
Dresh,  Charles  DeLong,  Conrad  Reich,  Rudolph  Rumbel,  Amos 
Rumbel,  Henry  Reinhard,  Albert  Reinhard,  Frank  Reigel.  Frank  E. 
Ringer,  Thomas  J.  Reed,  William  Reppcrt,  Jacob  Reichwern, 
Christian  Seward,  Henry  Schappcl!.  Thomas  Shall,  William  F. 


170  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Scheur,  Edward  Shoener,  Joseph  Shoener,  William  S.  Snyder,  Mad. 
K.  Smith,  William  Tyson,  John  Umbenhocker,  William  Weiers, 
William  Wheeler,  Jerry  Willower,  Charles  C.  Wagner,  Reuben  Watt> 
Frank  Yost,  Benj.  Zimmerman,  Albert  Zimmerman. 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  12;  musi 
cians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  103.  Total,  121. 

COMPANY  K. 

Captain,  Isaac  F.  Brannon;  ist  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Douty;  2nd 
Lieutenant,  Francis  A  Stitzer;  ist  Sergeant,  Thomas  Irwin;  2nd 
Sergeant,  John  C.  Hinchclifr;  3rd  Sergeant,  George  M.  Dengler; 
4th  Sergeant,  William  Laubenstine;  5th  Sergeant,  Christ  N. 
Haertler;  ist  Corporal,  George  J.  Weaver;  2nd  Corporal,  John 
Degant;  3rd  Corporal,  David  H.  Stitzer;  4th  Corporal,  Horatio 
Edinger;  5th  Corporal  Daniel  F.  Bausum;  6th  Corporal,  John  C. 
Berger;  ;th  Corporal,  Henry  Shultz;  8th  Corporal,  John  M.  Brown; 
Musician,  William  Straw;  Musician,  Henry  Yost;  Wagoner, 
Warren  Carey. 

PRIVATES. — Martin  Adams,  John  Adaman,  Samuel  Bossier, 
Nicholas  Delaney,  Albin  Day,  John  F.  Dentzer,  David  R.  Dress, 
Nelson  Drake,  William  M.  Dress,  Edward  Edwards,  Franklin  Ehly, 
Jacob  Ebert,  Thomas  Fougherty,  Fertenline  Felty,  Elias  Fenster- 
maker,  Henry  Fenstermaker,  Arthur  L.  Gray,  John  Gillinger,  George 
H.  Gross,  Henry  Grim,  Howard  W.  Haas,  Wellington  P.  Haas, 
Nathan  Houser,  David  Houser,  Thomas  E.  Hudson,  William  Heisser, 
Simon  Hoffman,  Joseph  Burgess,  John  Bartolet,  Wesley  Belford, 
John  W.  Henn,  Allen  Hine,  Daniel  Haas,  Hugh  B.  Harkins,  John 
Jones,  Francis  Koch,  John  King,  James  Kavanaugh,  Benjamin  F. 
Kline,  Charles  Long,  Lewis  Lebengood,  Henry  Lord,  John  Little, 
Thomas  Leonard,  Lewis  Luckenbill,  Jacob  Lauby,  John  N.  Laur, 
Lewis  A.  Moul,  John  C.  Moul,  Wilson  W.  Miller,  John  Mulhall, 
George  F.  Morgan,  John  Mbrphy,  Philip  McKeaver,  Richard  Bar 
tolet,  Michael  Cashan,  Jonathan  Dress,  Milton  Nagle,  Charles 
Osterhout,  Edward  P.  Payne,  David  H.  Phillips,  William  F.  Pelton, 
John  Patry,  William  T.  Reed,  Henry  Reader,  Jeremiah  Reed, 
Nathan  Rich,  William  P.  Shaffer,  Augustus  Shollenberger,  Oliver 
W.  Schwartz,  George  Showers,  Frederick  W.  Snyder,  Gottlieb 
Schack,  Casper  Shut,  John  A.  Sherman,  Paul  Snyder,  Henry  Trough, 
Paul  White,  John  Widner,  Andrew  Weaber,  Ephraim  Whetstone, 

Commissioned  officers,  3;  non-commissioned  officers,  13;  musi 
cians,  2;  wagoner,  i;  privates,  81.  Total,  100. 

Recapitulation. — Company  A,  117;  Company -B,  53;  Company  C, 
61;  Company  D,  96;  Company  E,  108;  Company  F,  124;  Company  G, 
80;  Company  H,  122;  Company  I.  121;  Company  K,  100.  Total,  982. 


REORGANIZATION  AND  ROSTER  171 

While  occupying  this  camp  we  saw  the  first  colored 
troops,  having  a  full  division  in  our  corps,  one  brigade  being 
commanded  by  Col.  J.  K.  Sigfried,  of  the  48th,  Lieut.  Col. 
Henry  Pleasants  being  in  command  of  the  regiment.  During 
our  location  here  we  received  a  great  many  recruits.  A 
new  chaplain  was  assigned  to  us,  the  Rev.  L.  B.  Beckley,  of 


Colonel  Henry  Pleasants, 

Originator  and  Engineer  of  Mine  at 

Petersburg,  Va.,  June  1,  1864. 


Schuylkill  Haven,  who  proved  to  be  an  able  parson,  a  fluent, 
emphatic  expounder  of  the  Gospel,  and  an  intensely  loyal, 
patriotic  man.  He  was  always  a  welcome  guest  among  the 
boys  of  the  regiment,  and,  after  the  war  closed,  was  conspicu 
ous  at  all  the  camp-fires  of  the  soldiers,  and  his  eulogies  to 
our  Starry  Banner  were  always  productive  of  hearty  applause. 
His  death  some  years  ago  was  sincerely  mourned  by  those 
who  knew  him  intimately. 


172  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

A  band  which  had  been  organized  for  the  regiment  by 
Mr.  Wm.  J.  Feger,  left  Pottsville  on  the  I3th  of  April  to  join 
the  command. 

Before  Col.  Sigfried  left  Pottsville  to  join  his  regiment, 
the  48th,  a  number  of  ladies  presented  him  with  a  field  glass. 
The  presentation  took  place  at  the  residence  of  Lieutenant 
Bohannan,  on  the  evening  of  April  i8th.  A  silver  plate  on  it 
bore  the  following  inscription:  "Presented  to  Col.  J.  K.  Sig 
fried,  48th  Pennsylvania  Vols.,  by  the  ladies  of  Pottsville." 
Hon.  C.  W.  Pitman  made  the  presentation  on  behalf  of  the 
donors. 

The  Colonel  made  an  appropriate  and  touching  reply. 
The  entire  affair  was  one  of  those  pleasant  social  reunions 
which  are  rarely  forgotten  by  the  participants.  The  Colonel 
left  town  on  the  25th.  The  same  week  the  regiment  moved 
from  Annapolis  into  Virginia,  with  the  9th  Corps. 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  173 

CHAPTER  XII. 
With  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 

A  great  many  changes  had  been  made  in  the  personnel 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  chief  among  them  being  that 
Gen.  Grant  had  been  created  a  Lieut.  General  and  was  taking 
the  field  in  person,  casting  his  fortunes  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  The  sequel  showed  the  wisdom  of  his  resolve. 
Preparations  were  daily  going  on  for  a  new  movement  against 
the  rebellion;  and,  on  the  22nd,  our  command  turned  over  all 
our  tents  to  the  resident  quartermaster,  and  cooked  rations, 
preparing  to  move.  On  the  25th,  reveille  was  sounded  at  4  a.  m., 
but  we  did  not  leave  camp  until  nine.  It  was  a  very  hot  day, 
and  we  marched  eleven  miles  before  going  into  camp.  The 
next  day  eighteen  miles  were  made,  and  the  road  was  strewn 
with  blankets,  overcoats  and  other  clothing,  from  Annapolis 
to  this  point. 

THE  SOLDIER  AND   HIS   BURDEN 

When  a  soldier  is  in  camp  for  a  few  days  he  uses  all 
the  means  at  his  command  to  make  himself  comfortable;  gets 
every  imaginable  thing  obtainable  to  add  to  his  ease;  and, 
when  camp  is  broken,  he  does  not  intend  to  leave  anything 
behind,  as  he  doesn't  see  how  he  is  going  to  get  along  without 
everything  he  has;  he  thinks  he  can  carry  it  all,  at  least  he  is 
going  to  try.  Usually,  on  the  start,  he  has  his  musket ;  cartridge 
box  with  forty  rounds  of  ammunition;  cap  box;  body  belt  and 
bayonet  scabbard;  canteen  full  of  water;  haversack  with  five 
days'  rations;  tincup  strapped  to  haversack;  frying  pan  or 
skillet  thrown  over  his  knapsack.  This  trunk  contains,  at  the 
very  least,  one  pair  of  socks;  one  shirt;  one  pair  of  drawers;  a 
few  handkerchiefs;  needles  and  thread;  and  writing  materials; 
Testament,  sometimes;  overcoat;  dog  tent  and  gum  blanket; 
also  a  woolen  blanket;  and  a  picture  or  two  of  his  mother 
and  sister;  and,  possibly,  some  other  fellow's  sister. 
Now,  after  a  march  of  five  miles  or  more  in  the 
hot  sun,  he  begins  to  wonder  what  he  can  spare,  as 


174  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

the  load  begins  to  feel  very  heavy.  The  days  are 
hardly  cold  enough  for  an  overcoat;  and,  for  guard  duty  at 
night,  maybe,  he  can  borrow  one,  or  do  without,  and  he  tosses 
his  away.  His  load  feels  light  now,  and  he  jogs  along  very 
comfortably  for  the  next  spell  of  four  or  five  miles.  Then, 
perhaps,  his  blanket  is  thrown  away,  or,  maybe,  cut  in  two; 
then,  if  the  march  continues  lengthy,  the  knapsack  is  thrown 
away  with  all  its  contents,  except  a  change  of  clothing,  dog 
tent,  and  gum  blanket.  These  are  made  into  a  roll  and  slung 
over  the  shoulder;  and  he  is  in  light  marching  order,  and  will 
so  remain  as  long  as  the  hard  campaigning  lasts. 

REVIEWED  BY  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN 

On  this  march,  at  this  early  stage,  some  of  our  troops  were 
in  the  condition  described.  On  the  25th  we  passed  through 
Bladensburg  and  Washington  and  camped  to  the  right  of 
Alexandria,  Va.  At  Willard's  Hotel,  standing  upon  the 
balcony,  stood  President  Lincoln  and  General  Burnside. 
surrounded  by  many  other  distinguished  men ;  and  the  compli 
ment  of  a  marching  salute  was  paid  to  the  Chief  Magistrate 
of  the  Nation.  The  48th  passed  about  noon,  feeling  the 
importance  of  the  occasion. 

All  day  long,  tramped  the  men  of  the  old  Qth  Corps  before 
the  great  Lincoln  and  their  old  Commander  whom  they  all 
loved;  their  splendid  bearing  calling  forth  enthusiastic  cheers 
from  the  multitude  assembled  to  view  the  pageant.  On  the 
27th,  we  marched  through  Fairfax  Court  House,  the  same 
place  we  had  occupied  after  the  Bull  Run  battle,  twelve  miles. 
On  the  28th,  we  marched  through  Centreville  and  Manassas 
Junction,  to  Bristoe  Station,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad,  fourteen  miles,  and  went  into  camp.  Here  we 
relieved  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  and  were  mustered  for 
pay  on  the  3Oth.  General  Grant's  movement  upon  Richmond 
was  thus  fairly  inaugurated.  On  the  3rd  of  May  the  advance 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  crossed  the  Rapidan  without 
serious  opposition. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  however,  a  series  of  battles  com 
menced,  which  lasted  until  Gen.  Grant  had  his  army  firmly 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  175 

established  in  front  of  Petersburg,  running  over  a  period  of 
two  months.  They  were  sanguinary  contests,  which  tested  the 
valor  and  endurance  of  our  soldiers  to  their  utmost.  This 
campaign  is  unparalleled  in  the  military  history  of  the  world 
for  continued  and  persistent  fighting.  Gen.  Grant  was 
uniformly  successful  in  his  strategy,  out-generaling  Lee  in 
every  movement,  and  compelling  him  to  abandon  strongly 
fortified  positions  and  fall  back  until  finally  he  rested  within 
his  defences  at  Richmond.  We  lay  quiet  in  this  camp  until 
the  4th  of  May,  when  we  again  started  on  the  tramp. 

FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  THE  JAMES 

On  the  way  to  the  Wilderness  the  regiment  crossed 
the  Rapidan  River  on  May  5th,  and  about  two  hundred 
veterans  of  the  regiment  were  sent  to  the  right  of  the  army, 
and  deployed  as  skirmishers  and  fought  the  enemy  as  such, 
nearly  all  day,  losing  some  men  killed  and  wounded.  About 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  rejoined  the  regiment, 
went  into  line  of  battle  and  became  engaged  just  at  dark. 

Captain  J.  H.  Hoskings,  of  the  48th,  now  a  resident  of 
Birmingham,  Ala.,  says: 

"After  crossing  the  Rapidan,  a  detail  of  200  men  was 
made  and  put  under  my  command:  Lieut.  Pollock,  of  G,  and 
Lieut.  Eveland,  of  A;  Sergeant  Al  Huckey,  of  Company  A, 
with  a  full  complement  of  non-commissioned  officers.  The 
names  of  all  but  a  few  have  escaped  my  memory.  I  recall  Bob 
Reid  and  Clay  Evans,  Sandy  Govan,  David  Thiel  and  Adam 
Hendley.  We  left  the  regiment  and  moved  to  our  right,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  came  into  contact  with  a  line  of  the 
enemy's  skirmishers ;  they  gave  us  a  volley  and  their  peculiar 
yell,  expecting  to  start  us  on  the  back  track;  but,  instead,  we 
advanced  and  drove  them  out  of  the  woods ;  and,  on  reaching 
the  open  field,  we  came  to  a  halt.  The  enemy  fell  back  to  a 
rail  fence,  some  fifty  yards  to  our  front,  and  there  we  held 
them  until  relieved  by  a  Michigan  regiment.  We  then  moved 
to  the  rear  and  buried  David  Thiel,  who  had  been  killed  in  the 
advance.  We  then  joined  the  main  body  of  the  regiment. 


17G  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Heavy  firing  was  in  progress  all  day,  and  on  the  6th,  the  9th 
Corps,  to  which  we  belonged,  was  engaged  almost  the  entire 
day  in  the  Wilderness  fight,  under  infantry  fire,  losing 
heavily." 

On  the  7th  but  little  hard  fighting  was  done  as  we 
were  moving  about  all  day  for  position.  It  was  hard 
to  determine  just  how  our  army  was  fronting  and  the 
lines  running.  Some  troops  were  marching  towards  Fred- 
ericksburg  on  the  left  and  others  to  Chancellorsville  on  the 
right.  The  woods  \vere  still  burning  from  the  effects  of 
yesterday's  firing,  and  many  of  the  wounded  were  burned  to 
death  ere  they  could  be  removed.  All  our  sick  and  wounded 
were  being  sent  to  Fredericksburg,  from  where  they  were 
shipped  North  as  fast  as  their  condition  would  warrant. 

On  the  9th  there  was  very  heavy  firing  on  the  right,  but 
the  48th  did  not  become  actively  engaged.  On  the  loth  we 
were  held  in  reserve  under  a  very  heavy  artillery  fire  all  day. 
Gen.  Sedgwick  was  killed  during  the  engagement  of  yesterday. 
The  Rebel  General,  Ned  Johnson,  and  his  whole  division,  were 
captured  by  Hancock's  2nd  Corps. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA 

On  the  1 2th,  early  in  the  morning,  we  were  moved  on 
to  the  left  of  Hancock's  Corps.  Our  division  was  formed  in 
two  lines  of  battle.  The  ist  Brigade  constituted  the  second 
line;  the  2nd  Brigade,  the  first  line.  In  front  of  our  regiment 
was  the  I7th  Vermont  Regiment,  which  had  exhausted  its 
ammunition  after  fighting  bravely,  and  was  relieved  by  us. 
Our  position  was  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  in  front  of  which  was  an 
open  field  and  swamp,  through  which  ran  a  small  creek,  and, 
beyond,  another  hill,  where  the  rebels  had  erected  a  strong 
line  of  rifle-pits.  On  our  left  was  a  thick  wood  extending 
beyond  the  swamp  to  the  line  of  the  enemy.  As  the  fog  rose, 
a  regiment  of  rebels  was  discovered  occupying  a  pit  formed  by 
the  banks  of  the  creek.  The  left  of  the  brigade  was  thrown 
forward  into  the  woods,  cutting  off  their  retreat,  except  by 
the  open  field  up  the  hill  in  front  of  our  works,  which,  if 
attempted,  would  be  certain  destruction.  A  desperate  effort 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  177 

was  made  to  drive  us  out  of  our  position,  but  it  was  steadily 
maintained  under  a  destructive  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery. 
During  this  attempt  the  regiment  captured  two  hundred 
prisoners  of  Gordon's  division.  Along  in  the  afternoon  the 
troops  made  another  assault  on  the  rebel  line.  The  regiment 
charged  forward  to  the  swamp,  but  discovered  that  it  was 
unsupported.  It  moved  then  by  the  left  flank  into  the  woods 
under  a  galling  fire;  and,  later,  reached  its  folrmer  position. 

The  report  of  Major  W.  B.  Reynolds  of  the  I7th 
Vermont,  in  speaking  of  the  Spottsylvania  engagement, 
says :  "At  7  a.  m.,  having  exhausted  40  rounds  per  man,  as 
well  as  all  that  could  be  procured  from  the  dead  and 
wounded,  we  were  relieved  by  the  48th  Penna.  Vols.  and 
withdrew  about  twenty  paces,  where  we  remained  with 
fixed  bayonets  while  ammunition  was  being  brought 
forward.  During  this  time,  about  fifty  of  the  26th  Georgia, 
who  had  been  in  our  front,  were  sent  back  as  prisoners  of 
war.  The  few  survivors  of  the  regiment  made  good  their 
escape  from  the  ravine,  leaving  in  our  hands  a  number  of 
dead  and  wounded.  At  n  a.  m.  I  was  ordered  to  support 
the  48th  Penna.  Vols.  in  an  advance  upon  the  enemy's 
works,  having  to  advance  across  an  open  field  about  one 
hundred  yards  under  fire  from  the  enemy's  intrenchments. 
The  48th  Pa.  formed  in  my  rear  as  a  support  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day." 

An  incident  occurred  just  here  that  shows  the  inventive 
genius  of  some  of  the  regimental  commanders.  A  soldier 
had  not  stood  up  to  his  work  as  he  should  have  done,  had 
shown  the  white  feather  during  this  encounter,  and,  upon  his 
return  to  his  company,  after  the  danger  was  over,  the  colonel 
of  his  regiment,  being  made  acquainted  with  these  facts,  had 
the  culprit  brought  to  his  headquarters.  Then  he  was  bucked 
and  gagged.  This  operation  is  performed  by  tying  the  hands 
tightly  at  the  wrists,  seating  the  person  on  the  ground,  putting 
his  hands  over  his  knees  low  enough  down  to  insert  a  strong 
stick  or  musket  under  the  knees  and  over  the  arms.  This  is 
the  bucking  part  of  it.  The  gagging  consists  of  inserting  a 
strong  piece  of  wood,  or,  in  lieu  of  that,  a  bayonet,  into  the 

T2 


178  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

mouth  and  tying  it  tightly  around  the  neck  by  both  ends.  In 
this  position,  he  is  at  the  mercy  of  any  one  desiring  to  have 
fun  at  his  expense.  The  colonel  now  summoned  the  captain 
of  the  company  to  which  the  "shyster"  belonged  and  ordered 
him  to  fall  in  his  company,  single  file,  and  commanded  them  to 
march  by  the  comrade  seated  at  their  feet,  and;  as  each  one 
filed  by,  he  was  to  spit  in  his  face.  Some  of  the  comrades 
gave  him  the  full  benefit  of  all  that  tobacco  chewing  could 
bring  forth,  others  scarcely  reached  his  face  with  any  spittle, 
but  the  colonel  stood  by,  and  as  the  men  filed  past  ordered 
them  to  spit  lively. 

Our  regiment  suffered  very  severely  in  this  fight,  and  the 
writer  paid  a  visit  to  the  field  hospital  to  look -after  some 
friends,  and,  while  there,  came  across  some  cf  his  own  company, 
one,  named  Lewis  Woods,  a  great,  big,  noble-hearted  fellow, 
from  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  who  now  lay  in  a  cow 
stable  with  his  brains  oozing  from  a  ghastly  bullet  hole  in  his 
head.  As  I  took  the  gallant  fellow's  hand  and  asked  him  if 
he  recognized  me,  his  only  reply  was  a  smile,  and  my  mind 
went  back  to  the  trip  on  the  steamer  from  Newport  News  to 
Baltimore,  when,  as  he  lay  asleep  on  the  deck,  in  a  -moment  of 
boyish  deviltry,  I  clipped  one-half  of  his  moustache  completely 
off.  What  I  would  have  given  at  that  moment  if  I  had  never 
been  guilty  of  this  mischievous  act!  I  had  heard  of  people 
being  shot  to  pieces,  but  never  saw  it  until  at  this  hospital. 
Just  outside  the  fence  surrounding  the  house  a  battery  of 
artillery  was  stationed,  and  one  of  the  artillerymen  lay  there 
torn  limb  from  limb,  and  the  sight  was  a  sickening  one  to 
those  passing  by. 

Sergeant  William  J.  Wells,  of  Company  F,  relates  the 
following: 

A  SOLDIER'S  FAREWELL 

"In  this  fight  I  was  one  of  the  Color  Guard  of  the  regi 
ment.  Comrade  John  Moirrisey,  of  my  company,  came  to  me 
just  before  our  charge  across  the  swamp  and  bade  me 
'good-bye.'  Inquiring  why  he  did  so,  he  replied:  'I  shall  be 
killed  to-day.'  I  chided  him,  and  tried  to  cheer  him;  then 
suggested  that  he  remain  out  of  the  fight,  which  we  all  felt 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  179 

to  be  at  hand.  He  indignantly  refused,  and  said:  'I  have  never 
yet  shirked  my  duty,  and  will  not  do  it  now.  After  I  am  dead, 
write  to  my  sister,  Mary,  and  tell  her  I  died  facing  the  enemy.' 
Just  then  the  bugle  sounded  the  advance.  He  ran  to  his 
company,  and,  immediately  fell,  shot  through  the  forehead. 
After  returning  to  our  position,  subsequent  to  the  charge,  we 
dug  a  hole  with  the  bayonet;  wrapped  him  in  his  blanket  and 
buried  him-  Then,  upon  a  piece  of  cracker-box,  we  wrote, 
with  a  charred  stick,  his  name,  company  and  regiment.  While 
lying  in  the  hospital  at  Chestnut  Hill,  Pa.,  his  sister,  finding 
my  name  among  the  new  arrivals,  visited  me,  and  I  delivered 
his  dying  message  to  her.  She  was  a  poor  servant  girl  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  but  I  shall  never  forget  her  distress." 

HEAVY    LOSSES 

Since  crossing  the  Rapidan  on  the  5th  the  regiment  had 
been  under  heavy  fire  every  day,  and  had  lost,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  amongst  the  killed 
being  Lieut.  Henry  C.  Jackson,  of  Company  G,  who  fell  on  the 
12th.  Lieut.  Jackson  was  a  noble  fellow,  and  idolized  by  his 
men;  his  loss  was  deeply  felt. 

The  Spottsylvania  engagement  of  May  I2th  became 
intensely  interesting  to  us,  and  Comrade  Bob  Reid,  of  Com 
pany  G,  gives  a  very  interesting  description  of  it:  "It  was  a 
very  foggy  morning  when  Captain  McKibben  of  General 
Potter's  staff  ordered  Col.  Pleasants  to  follow  him  with  the 
48th,  and  it  will  be  remembered  that  McKibben  rode  a  very 
dilapidated  plug  of  a  horse  that  day,  but  he  rode  right  to  the 
front,  leaning  forward  on  his  horse,  as  he  led  us  up  the  hill, 
until  he  had  us  under  fire,  when  we  formed  line  of  battle 
behind  one  of  the  advance  regiments.  There  was  a  rebel 
regiment  behind  the  brow  of  the  hill,  directly  in  our  front, 
and  our  position  did  not  suit  our  Colonel.  We  moved  forward 
past  the  right  of  the  advanced  regiment  until  we  got  about 
half  way  between  it  and  the  enemy,  which  proved  to  be  the 
1 3th  Georgia.  Before  we  commenced  firing  about  twenty  of 
the  rebel  troops  came  in  and  surrendered.  When  within 
about  seventy-five  yards  of  the  enemy  we  were  ordered  to 


180  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

halt,  and  commence  firing,  when  for  a  short  time  the  engage 
ment  was  very  lively.  The  enemy  were  at  a  decided  disad 
vantage,  they  being  down  the  slope  of  the  hill,  we  at  the 
top.  About  the  time  we  opened  fire  another,  or  part  of  a 
rebel  regiment,  came  to  their  support.  We  hammered  away 
at  them  until  some  one  from  the  centre  of  our  regiment  called 
out  that  they  wanted  to  surrender,  but  Col.  Pleasants 
ordered  us  to  continue  firing,  which  we  did  until  the  rebels 
threw  down  their  arms  and  came  in  in  a  body.  We  captured 
fully  two  hundred  prisoners.  They  left  one  colonel,  three  line 
ofBcers  and  seventy-five  men  killed,  and  a  large  number  of 
wounded  on  the  field. 

"I  claim  that  this  was  the  regiment  of  the  enemy  which 
Grant  in  his  memoirs  claims  to  have  captured  on  the  same  day 
that  Hancock  captured  Johnson's  division. 

"Among  the  many  killed  in  this  engagement,  none  was 
more  deeply  regretted  than  Lieut.  Henry  Jackson,  of  Com 
pany  G." 

Correspondence  of  Miners'  Journal: 

Wm.  Auman,  Co.  "G,"  writes  as  follows : 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  C.  H.,  MAY  i5th,  '64. 
This  is  the  tenth  day  of  the  fighting,  and  from  present 
appearances  it  will  last  for  some  days  yet.  The  48th  has 
been  under  fire  for  seven  days,  and  were  severely  engaged 
twice.  At  the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness,  we  were  engaged 
and  lost  three  killed  and  twelve  wounded.  On  the  I2th, 
we  had  a  hard  fight  on  the  ground  we  now  occupy.  Our 
regiment  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  and  lost  heavily. 
Lieut.  Henry  Jackson  was  killed  beside  me.  He  was 
struck  in  the  neck  by  a  rifle  ball.  I  helped  to  carry  him 
out.  He  died  while  we  were  carrying  him  to  the  hospital. 
When  he  was  struck  he  fell  against  me.  I  asked  him  where 
he  was  hit;  he  whispered,  "I  don't  know,"  and  then  his 
head  fell  to  one  side,  and  I  saw  that  he  was  dying.  He  never 
spoke  again.  The  loss  in  the  regiment  in  that  day's  fight 
was  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  killed,  wounded  and 
missing. 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC         181- 

We  drove  the  enemy  a  mile,  when  we  met  the  I3th 
Georgia  Regiment.  We  completely  annihilated  that  regi 
ment,  taking  many  prisoners  and  killing  and  wounding 
nearly  all  the  rest.  We  then  charged  on  the  rebel  works, 
but  not  being  supported  by  the  regiment  on  our  right,  and 
being  exposed  to  a  terrible  cross  fire  from  the  lines  of  rifle 
pits  and  a  battery,  we  were  compelled  to  retire  to  the  left 
into  a  wood.  Here  the  left  of  the  regiment  was  run  close 
to  the  enemy's  earthworks,  and  a  number  of  our  men  were 
shot.  We  fell  back,  formed  line,  and  took  position  on  the 
same  ground  we  were  on  before  we  charged.  Here  we  put 
up  breastworks  and  have  been  fighting  ever  since.  While  I 
am  writing,  the  bullets  are  whistling  over  my  head,  but  as 
long  as  we  do  not  expose  ourselves,  we  are  quite  safe. 

Yours,  etc. 

WM.  AUMAN. 

Wm.  Auman  served  through  the  rebellion  and  came  out 
Captain  of  his  company,  and  after  the  war  received  a  Lieu 
tenant's  commission  in  the  Regular  Army,  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Major,  and  led  his  regiment  during  the  Spanish- 
American  war  and  did  valiant  service  at  the  charge  on 
Santiago.  He  was  subsequently  made  Lieutenant  Colonel 
and  finally  promoted  to  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.,  and  retired  and  is 
now  residing  at  Buffalo,  New  York. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  C.  H.,  MAY  i5th,  1864. 
EDITOR  Miners'  Journal: 

DEAR  SIR:  I  send  you  a  list  of  the  casualities  in  the 
48th  P.  V.  from  the  6th  of  May  to  this  date.  In  the  Battle 
of  the  Wilderness  the  regiment  was  hotly  engaged  on  the 
6th,  and  skirmished  in  the  front  on  the  7th.  On  the  6th, 
350  men,  including  nearly  all  the  veterans,  skirmished  all 
day  on  the  right,  and  the  rest  of  the  regiment  moved  with 
the  main  portion  of  the  Qth  Corps,  and  were  hotly  engaged 
in  the  centre.  The  rebel  army  having  fallen  back,  the  gth 
Corps  was  moved  to  Chancellorsville  on  the  8th.  The  48th 
was  not  again  engaged  until  the  I2th,  when  our  division 


182  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

advanced  towards  Spottsylvania  on  the  evening  of  the  nth, 
but  the  battle  was  not  begun  until  the  morning  of  the  I2th. 
We  fought  all  day,  and  our  regiment  having  caught  three 
Georgia  regiments  in  a  little  hollow,  with  rising  ground 
behind  them,  which  prevented  them  from  retreating,  com 
pletely  annihilated  them.  We  took  over  two  hundred 
prisoners.  One  squad  of  them,  which  I  sent  to  the  rear  under 
Lieut.  Bowen,  amounted  to  forty  eight.  Afterwards  all  the 
troops  of  the  divison  were  ordered  to  charge,  and  the  48th 
advanced  in  excellent  style  through  an  open,  marshy  ground 
under  heavy  fire,  but  the  troops  on  both  flanks  giving  way, 
the  regiment  was  moved  by  the  left  flank  into  a  ravine  in 
the  woods  and  shielded  from  the  destructive  fire  of  the 
enemy.  Our  loss  has  been  heavy,  but  the  48th  has  behaved 
well,  and  in  the  action  of  the  I2th,  owing  to  our  position 
on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  five  rebels  were  killed,  wounded  or 
taken  prisoners  for  every  man  lost  by  us.  Since  the  I2th,  a 
few  men  have  been  wounded  by  sharpshooters  and  we  still 
^remain  on  the  front  line.  We  have  to  mourn  the  loss  of  many 
brave  men,  and  one  of  the  best  and  bravest  of  officers  is4  Lieu 
tenant  Henry  Jackson.  Yours,  etc. 

HENRY  PLEASANTS. 

The  list  of  casualties  referred  to  by  the  Colonel — from 
the  6th  to  the  I5th  of  May — is  as  follows: 

COMPANY  A. 

Killed. — Lewis  M.  Robinhold,  Isaac  Otto,  John  J.  Huntzinger, 
Abel  C.  T.  St.  Clair. 

Wounded.— Sergt.  A.  C.  Huckey,  Corp.  Charles  Brandenburg, 
Corp.  Jacob  S.  Honsberger,  Morgan  Leiser,  Benjamin  F.  C. 
Dreibelbeis,  Chas.  Hillegas. 

COMPANY    B. 

Killed. — Corp.  David  J.  Davis,  Matthew  Hume,  Frederick 
Knittle,  Laurentus  C.  Moyer,  Daniel  Wary,  John  Deitz. 

Wounded.— Sergt.  Thomas  B.  Williams,  Sergt.  Wm.  Kissinger, 
Gottlieb  Schaufler,  David  Deitz,  John  Brown. 

COMPANY  C. 

Killed. — Daniel  Brown. 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  183 

Wounded. — 2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  Clark,  Sergt.  Jones  Geier;  Michael 
Mohan,  Wm.~Neely,  Wm.  J.  Haines,  Murtz  Brennan,  James  Coakly. 
Missing. — George    C.    Seibert. 

COMPANY  D. 

Killed.  — J  o  n  a  1  h  a  n   Kaufman. 

Wounded. — 2nd  Lieut.  H.  E.  Stichter,  Sergt.  Henry  Rothen- 
berger,  Corp.  Edward  Lenhart;  James  Deitrick,  Botto  Otto,  Perry 
L.  Strausser,  Geo.  S.  Beissel,  Wm.  F.  Moyer,  John  Kehler,  Jonas 
Miller,  Joseph  Zeigler,  Pat.  Cooligan,  Andrew  Knittle,  Gustavus. 
H.  Miller,  Henry  D. .  Moyer. 

Missing.— Edward  H.  Ebert,  John  D.  Weikel. 

COMPANY   E. 

Killed. — Lawrence  Farrel. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  John  C.  McElrath,  Corp.  Samuel  Clemens; 
James  McLaughlin,  Geo.  W.  Schaffer,  David  Williams,  W.  Simmons, 
G.  W.  James,  W.  C.  James,  James  Meighan,  Robert  Penman. 

Missing. — Wm.  Gutshall. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed. — David  F.  Thiel,  John  Morrissy,  Lewis  Woods,  Richard 
Williams. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  Richard  Hopkins,  Corp.  John  Powell;  Wm. 
E.  Taylor,  Israel  Manning,  Anthony  Carroll,  Wm.  S.  Wright,  James 
Brennan,  And.  Westner,  Henry  Holsey,  Wm.  H.  Kohler,  John 
Eddy,  John  T.  Reese,  John  Crawford,  A.  H.  Whitman. 

Missing. — George   Kramer. 

COMPANY  G. 

Killed.— 2nd  Lieut.  H.  C.  Jackson;  William  Williams. 

Wounded. — Serg.  R.  M.  Jones,  Corp.  George  Fame;  John 
Becker,  Adam  Hendley,  James  Spencer,  M.  Berger,  John  Armstrong, 
Clay  W.  Evans,  Patrick  Grant,  Wm.  Maurer,  John  Kautter,  Patrick 

Savage. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed. — Abraham  Benscoter. 

Wounded. — Samuel  Frybeger,  'William  Donnelly,  Wm.  Huber, 
Benjamin  Koller,  John  Klinegina,  Daniel  Ohnmacht,  Albert  Davis, 
John  Stevenson,  Michael  Melarkee,  Daniel  Cooke,  John  Cruikshank, 
Michael  O'Brien,  Charles  Focht,  John  Olewine,  Joseph  Edwards, 
Thomas  Palmer,  Joseph  Chester. 

Missing. — Harrison  Bright,  Michael  Scott,  Lewis  Aurand, 
James  Wentzell. 


184  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

COMPANY   I. 

Killed. — Henry  J.    Ege. 

Wounded.— Sergt.  L.  Swain,  Sergt  J.  Ongstodt,  Corp.  D. 
Klase,  Corp.  W.  Knittle;  Charles  Lindemuth,  F.  Boner,  C.  W.  Horn, 
M.  Dooley,  W.  Tyson,  C.  DeLong. 

Missing.— W.   B.   Beyerle,  B.   McArdel,  W.   B.   Shearer. 

COMPANY  K. 

Killed.— John  W.  Henn. 

Wounded. — Corp.  George  J.  Weaver;  David  R.  Dress,  Elias 
Fenstermacher,  Thomas  Fogerty,  Henry  R.  Schulze,  Franklin  Ehly, 
Simon  Hoffman,  Andrew  Weaber. 

A   CONFEDERATE    RECORD 

Brig.  Gen.  Harris,  of  the  Confederate  Army,  in  his 
report  of  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May  I2th 
and  I3th,  1864,  says:  "Thus  from  7  a.  m.  of  the  I2th  to  3.30 
a.  m.  of  May  I3th  (twenty  hours),  my  men  were  exposed 
to  a  constant  and  destructive  fire,  both  from  front  and  flank, 
and  during  the  hours  of  the  day  to  a  heavy  artillery  fire,  in 
which  mortars  were  used  by  the  enemy  for  the  first  time 
during  the  campaign.  A  cold,  drenching  rain  fell  during 
the  greater  portion  of  the  day  and  night  and  the  trenches 
were  filled  with  water.  Great  difficulty  was  experienced 
in  procuring  supplies  of  ammunition,  man  after  man  being 
shot  down  while  bringing  it  in.  As  an  instance  of  the 
terrible  nature  of  the  fire,  trees  twenty-two  inches  in 
diameter  were  hewn  to  splinters  and  felled  by  the  musketry." 
General  S.  McGowan,  also  of  the  Confederate  Army, 
says :  "To  give  some  idea  of  the  intensity  of  the  fire,  an 
oak  tree  twenty-two  inches  in  diameter,  which  stood  just  in 
rear  of  the  right  of  my  brigade,  was  cut  down  by  the 
constant  scaling  of  musket  balls." 

The  next  few  days  were  spent  in  this  position  and  we  were 
under  fire  all  the  time,  but  no  engagements  took  place  until 
the  1 8th.  Early  in  the  morning  the  firing  began  and  a  charge 
was  made  upon  the  rebel  works  in  our  front,  by  the  entire  2nd 
Division.  The  first  line  was  carried  without  much  loss,  but 
the  position  was  strong  and  protected  by  heavy  abattis,  and 


Major  Jos.  A.  Gilmour 

Died  June  8,  1864 
Result  of  wounds  received  May  31,  1864 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  187 

the  second  line  was  not  reached.  On  this  same  day  we  buried 
eighty  dead  rebels  in  the  swamp  where  we  had  fought  on 
the  I2th. 

On  the  ipth  the  enemy  attempted  to  break  ttirough  the 
right.  The  firing  was  very  heavy,  troops  were  quickly  sent 
to  strengthen  our  position  and  the  rebels  were  repulsed. 

THE  MARCHING  FORTY-EIGHTH 

On  the  2 ist  we  again  started  on  the  march,  continued 
all  day  and  night  and  also  on  the  22d.  We  had  positive  orders 
to  march  fast.  On  the  23d  a  hard  fight  was  going  on  in  our 
front,  as  was  evidenced  by  the  firing  we  could  hear  so  dis 
tinctly.  We  marched  up  to  eleven  that  night,  and  camped  on 
the  banks  of  the  North  Anna  River.  The  troops  crossed  to  the 
south  side  of  the  river  on  the  24th  and  assaulted  the  rebel 
works,  but  every  attempt  to  dislodge  them  was  futile.  The 
next  few  days  were  spent  in  moving  about  and  in  artillery 
practice. 

At  nine  at  night  on  the  26th  all  troops  were  withdrawn, 
and  we  marched  back  the  way  we  had  come,  for  about  six 
miles,  then  struck  to  the  left  and  marched  all  day  on  the  27th 
until  eleven  at  night.  On  the  28th  we  had  a  forced  march, 
and  crossed  the  Pamunkey  River.  Here  the  enemy's  skirm 
ishers  were  met  and  driven  back  on  their  main  line.  On  the 
3Oth  and  3ist  the  regiment  was  engaged  at  Armstrong's  farm 
and  lost  very  heavily. 

About  the  24th  of  May  the  Ninth  Army  Corps  was 
attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Up  to  that  time  it 
had  been  an  independent  command  under  General  Burnside. 

On  the  3ist  of  May  the  regiment  sustained  a  heavy  loss 
in  the  wounding  of  Maj.  Jos.  A.  Gilmour,  originally  Captain 
of  Company  H.  He  was  an  excellent  officer,  quiet,  unas 
suming,  and  as  brave  as  man  could  be;  a  perfect  soldier.  The 
Major  was  wounded,  suffered  amputation  and  died  on  June 
the  8th  in  the  hospital. 

Of  the  operations  of  the  army  at  and  near  the  Totopotomy 
Creek,  May  28th  to  3ist,  1864,  General  Potter,  in  his  report 
to  General  Meade,  says:  "On  the  3ist,  I  advanced  about 


188  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

three-quarters  of  a  mile,  over  the  worst  ground  I  ever  knew, 
having  a  brisk  fight,  and  meeting  with  some  loss,  including 
Major  Gilmour,  of  the  48th  Penna.  Regiment,  an  invaluable 
officer,  mortally  wounded." — Official  Records. 

Lieutenants  Samuel  Laubenstein  and  William  H.  Hume, 
two  gallant  officers,  were  killed  by  sharpshooters.  On  the 
3rd  of  June  the  battle  of  Bethesda  Church,  or  Totopotomy 
Creek  was  fought  in  which  the  regiment  bore  a  very  im 
portant  part  and  rendered  efficient  service,  our  losses  being 
ten  killed  and  fifty-eight  wounded.  A  rebel  battery  in  our 
front  was  almost  annihilated,  almost  every  horse  belonging 
to  it  being  killed.  The  guns  remained  on  the  field  and  fell 
into  our  possession. 

BETHESDA    CHURCH 

In  this  connection,  Sergeant  Wells,  of  Company  F,  says: 
"We  had  fallen  back  from  Armstrong's  farm,  where  Major 
Gilmour  had  been  wounded  on  May  3ist,  in  accordance  with 
Grant's  inevitable  movement,  'from  right  to  left,'  and  on  June 
2nd,  stacked  arms  in  a  large  open  field,  near  a  fine  country 
mansion,  standing  back  some  distance  from  a  well-defined 
country  road.  Batteries,  baggage  wagons  and  ambulances 
were  parked  back  of,  and  around,  the  mansion,  while  General 
Officers,  probably  Grant  and  Meade,  and  their  staffs, 
unmounted,  stood  around.  If  I  remember  rightly,  a  violent 
storm,  accompanied  by  much  lightning  and  thunder,  burst 
upon  us  early  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  midst  of  this,  a  heavy 
discharge  of  shot  and  shell  poured  into  us  from  the  woods 
beyond  the  road,  showing  that  the  enemy  had  followed  our 
line  of  march,  and  had  opened  upon  us  with  the  intention  of 
surprising  and  stampeding  the  entire  combination,  troops, 
batteries,  ambulances,  wagons,  etc.;  but  they  were  soon  unde 
ceived,  for,  as  by  magic,  everything  became  active.  The  horses 
had  not  been  detached  from  the  guns,  wagons,  nor 
ambulances;  therefore,  it  was  the  work  of  a  few  moments  for 
the  latter  to  move  to  the  rear,  and  the  former  to  the  front. 
Mounted  officers  flew  over  the  field  from  right  to  left,  muskets 
.were  unstacked,  and  the  troops  were  moved  rapidly  to  the 
front :  a  rapid  transformation  from  peace  to  horrid  war,  as  the 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OP  THE  POTOMAC  189 

entire  surroundings  evidently  indicated  as  much  surprise  to 
general  officers  as  to  the  men.  It  seemed  but  a  few 
moments  before  we  were  lying  along  the  road,  some  firing 
and  others,  with  the  small  intrenching  shovels,  bayonets, 
tincups,  anything  that  could  remove  dirt,  throwing  up  intrench- 
ments,for  the  troops  had  learned  their  value  by  sad  experience, 
while  our  batteries  in  the  rear  literally  filled  the  woods  with 
bursting  shells.  The  enemy  evidently  failed  in  their  object, 
for  they  soon  gave  up  their  attack,  but  not  before  we  had  a 
strong  work  erected.  The  next  day,  the  3rd,  the  entire  line 
was  advanced,  as  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  to  a  strong  line 
of  works  erected  during  the  night. 

"As  Comrade  Bob  Reid,  of  Company  G,  has  described 
this  severe  fight,  I  only  add  that  in  no  engagement  of  the  48th 
did  they  expend  more  ammunition  than  in  this;  besides,  our 
line  was  so  close  to  that  of  the  enemy's  battery  that  we  were 
subjected  to  the  bursting  of  our  own  shells;  so  much  so,  that 
our  batteries  were  compelled  to  move  their  position  further  to 
the  right,  where  the  fire  enfiladed  the  enemy's  guns,  with  the 
result,  that,  at  dusk,  every  gun  but  one  had  been  destroyed, 
and,  to  finish  the  job,  a  gun  was  drawn  by  hand  around  the 
right  of  the  48th  and  soon  dismounted  this  one.  With  nightfall 
the  battle  ceased.  In  one  company  of  the  45th  Pennsylvania, 
on  our  left,  all  the  officers  had  fallen,  a  corporal  alone  being 
left  to  command.  The  48th  in  this  fight  was  on  the  extreme 
right  of  the  army.  Advancing  on  the  4th,  thirty-nine  dead 
horses  and  the  dismounted  battery,  together  with  several 
hundred  small  arms,  were  found  behind  the  rebel  works; 
while  the  dead,  wounded  and  dying,  lay  thick  around.  The 
enemy  had  fled  during  the  night,  evidently  in  haste,  though 
they  had  tried  to  remove  their  disabled  guns  by  hand.  To 
increase  the  efficiency  of  their  works,  they  had  placed  many 
of  their  dead  on  top,  the  commander  of  the  battery  among1 
them.  Our  fire  must  have  been  very  effective,  for  the  trees 
in  the  woods  behind  them  showed  our  firing  to  have  been 
very  low.  These  facts  demonstrate  the  severity  of  the  battle 
and  the  good  work  done  by  the  48th  and  its  fellow  regiments 
on  that  day." 


190  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Comrade  Reid  says: 

"Skirmishing  and  artillery  firing  took  place  daily,  and  on 
the  3d  of  June  we  were  very  actively  engaged  at  Shady  Grove 
Church.  It  rained  a  little  the  night  before,  and  after  a  break 
fast  of  coffee  and  hard-tack  we  dried  our  blankets  at  the  fire, 
and  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  had  formed  line  of  battle, 
Company  "E"  being  deployed  as  skirmishers  to  the  front.  The 
ground  over  which  we  had  to  advance  was  a  clear  field,  and 
at  once  we  were  ordered  to  advance,  guide  centre,  the  skirm 
ishers  in  our  front.  They  crossed  the  gully  which  intervened 
between  us  and  the  enemy;  we  followed  closely  after;  and,  as 
the  skirmishers  arose  on  the  high  ground  again,  they  met 
those  of  the  enemy,  drove  them  back  on  their  entrenched  line 
of 'battle  and  took  a  few  prisoners  out  of  an  old  log  house, 
who  had  not  had  time  to  get  away.  Before  we  got  into  action 
we  could  see  Winlack's  heroes,  the  skirmishers,  dropping  fast 
from  the  destructive  fire  of  the  enemy.  Company  "E"  falling 
back  into  line,  we  were  ordered  to  halt  and  commence  firing, 
the  enemy  being  about  eighty  yards  to  our  front,  behind  a 
line  of  breastworks,  with  a  battery.  Things  soon  became 
lively  for  all  hands. 

"In  addition  to  the  heavy  infantry  firing  from  the  enemy, 
we  were  subjected  to  a  galling  fire  of  grape  and  canister.  We 
threw  up  a  line  of  breastworks  in  a  very  short  time,  and  occu 
pied  them  the  rest  of  the  day.  The  following  morning,  June 
4th,  Companies  "G"  and  "F"  were  ordered  by  Col.  Pleasants 
to  cross  our  breastworks,  deploy  as  skirmishers  and  advance 
to  the  enemy's  line,  which,  on  reaching,  we  found  evacuated, 
and  saw  nothing  but  some  new-made  graves,  many 
dead  battery  horses  and  a  limber  chest,  left  by  the  enemy.  We 
advanced  as  skirmishers  for  a  mile  beyond,  and  found  nothing 
but  one  lonesome  straggler  in  a  farm-house,  and  then  returned 
to  the  regiment." 

From  this  date  until  the  loth  of  June,  the  army  lay  in 
the  vicinity  of  Cold  Harbor  and  we  were  under  fire  the  entire 
time.  A  charge  was  made  by  the  rebels  on  the  part  of  the 
line  held  by  us,  but  it  was  easily  repulsed. 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  191 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 

Col.  Pleasants  again  placed  us  under  obligations  by 
furnishing  us  with  the  following-  account  of  the  operations  of 
the  Regiment  and  its  casualties,  from  the  I5th  to  the  3ist 
of  May: 

HEADQUARTERS,  48111  REGT.,  P.  V.-V., 

Field  South  of  Pamtmkey  River,  Va., 
May  3ist,   1864. 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  the  casualties  of  the 
Regiment  since  the  I5th  inst  to  date,  and  its  present  situation,  which 
is  within  a  gun  shot  of  the  enemy,  supporting  a  battery.  The  Regi 
ment  had  been  engaged  this  morning  on  skirmish  line,  and  an  hour 
ago  was  relieved  by  some  other  troops,  and  ordered  to  support  our 
Brigade  battery.  While  I  am  writing  our  troops  are  keeping  up  a 
very  heavy  and  continual  fire  on  the  line.  We  are  three  miles  from 
the  Pamunkey  River  and  twelve  miles  from  Richmond,  advancing 
slowly  towards  the  latter  place.  We  have  been  under  fire  every 
day  but  three  since  the  I5th,  moving  gradually  to  the  left  on  the 
enemy's  flank.  The  boys  stand  it  very  well. 

Wounded. — Major  Joseph  A.  Gilmour,  left  leg — amputated 
shortly  afterwards. 

COMPANY  A. 
Wounded. — Jacob   Kerschner. 

COMPANY    B. 

Wounded. — ist  Lieut.  William  H.  Humes;  John  Barren,  Samuel 
Heckman,  James  Frazier. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded. — John  B.  Boyer,  Henry  D.  Moyer,  Charles  Deitrick. 
COMPANY  F. 

Killed.— Patrick  Doolin,  Henry  McCann. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  Richard  Hopkins,  John  Crawford,  Henry 
Dillman,  David  Kreiger. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed. — 2nd  Lieut.  Samuel  B.  Laubenstine,  Corp.  Charles 
Norrigan. 

Wounded. — John    Gallagher. 

COMPANY   I. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  Francis  Allebach,  Christian  Seward,  Fred 
erick  Henry,  Herman  Buntz,  James  Boner. 

Very  Respectfully,  your  Obedient  Servant, 

HENRY  PLEASANTS,  Lt.-Col.  Commanding  Regt. 


. 


192  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

In  addition  to  the  above  we  had  the  following-  letter  from 
a  member  of  Company  D,  48th  Regiment,  dated: 

CAMP  48-TH  REGT.,  P.  V.  V. 

June   2nd,    1864. 

We  are  about  five  miles  from  the  Pamunkey  River  and  twelve 
from  Richmond.  The  Regiment  is  building  rifle  pits  about  thirty 
yards  in  front  of  an  orchard.  The  sun  is  very  hot  and  it  is  quite  a 
luxury  to  be  able  to  be  in  the  shade.  Major  Gilmour  was  wounded 
in  the  leg  day  before  yesterday,  and  had  it  amputated.  The  boys  are 
all  very  sorry  because  it  happened  to  be  his  fate  to  be  hit.  He  was 
beloved  by  the  whole  regiment,  for  he  was  a  kind  and  good  officer 
and  a  gentleman.  Lieutenant  Samuel  Laubenstine  was  killed,  and 
Lieutenant  W.  H.  Hume  wounded  in  the  arm.  These  three  officers 
were  all  shot  at  nearly  the  same  spot.  I  suppose  some  rebel  sharp 
shooter  had  range  of  that  particular  piece  of  ground.  Last  night 
a  man  by  the  name  of  Koch  of  Co.  A,  had  his  skull  fractured  by  a 
piece  of  one  of  our  shells.  We  had  a  pretty  sharp  fight  at  dusk  all 
along  the  line,  and  tremendous  cannonading  on  our  left,  toward  the 
Chickahominy.  Our  regiment  was  not  actively  engaged,  but  it  was 
a  wonder  that  no  more  were  hurt  by  our  shells,  for  they  burst  right 
overhead  of  the  right  wing  of  the  Regiment. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  Colonel  Pleasants  again  wrote  as 

follows : 

BATTLE-FIELD,  NEAR  GROVE  CHURCH,  VA., 

June  4th,   1864. 

Yesterday  our  Division  had  a  very  severe  engagement  with 
the  enemy  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  Army.  We  drove  them  over  a 
mile,  but  our  loss  was  heavy.  Last  night  the  Rebels  retreated,  and, 
judging  from  the  number  of  dead  and  quantity  of  arms  left  on  the 
field,  their  loss  in  our  immediate  front  must  have  been  over  one 
thousand.  We  exploded  one  of  their  caissons;  another  was  left 
behind,  and  over  thirty  artillery  horses  lie  dead  in  front  of  the  48th. 
There  was  a  general  engagement  along  the  line,  and  I  under 
stand  we  were  successful  everywhere.  I  send  you  a  list  of  our 
killed  and  wounded  from  the  ist  of  June. 

Yours,  truly,  H.  PLEASANTS. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded. — William  Koch,  George  Betz,  serious,  John  Hugg, 
Simon  Snyder,  Elias  Linns,  Corp.  Heckman,  J.  D.  Ash,  Samuel 
Eckroth,  Israel  Britton. 

COMPANY    B. 

Wounded. — Sergeant  Samuel  C.  Strauch,  Sergeant  Robert 
Campbell. 


WITH  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  193 

COMPANY  C. 

Wounded. — ist    Lieut.    P.    C.    Loeser,    2nd    Lieut.    William    Clark, 
Patrick  Farrell,  John  Dolan,  Thomas  Boyle. 

COMPANY  E. 

Killed.— David  Williams. 

Wounded. — Daniel  Boyer,  by  cannon  ball  on  breast,  severe, 
Daniel  E.  Reedy,  mortal,  Sergeant  E.  Tosh,  serious,  John  Clemens, 
Robert  Beverage,  severe,  Patrick  Brennan,  Chas.  Quinn,  Albert 

Cummings. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed.— Edward  G.  Pugh,  William  Smith. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  Jas.  N.  Easton,  Corp.  Robert  D.  Paden, 
George  H.  Jones,  J.  Kuhns,  W.  E.  Duffy?  severe ;  Cyrus  Haines,  James 
Bradley,  severe;  James  Hoult,  severe. 

COMPANY  G. 

Killed. — Corp.  Alexander  Govan,  Private  James  Allison. 
Wounded. — Sergt.  C.  F.  Kurntzler,  Corp.  John  Hatton,  William 

Martin. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed. — Joseph   Alexander. 

J  bounded. — John  C.  Benedict,  Sergt.  Henry  Bernsteel,  Corp. 
Henry  C.  Matthews,  Corp.  William  A.  Lloyd,  Joseph  S.  Hays, 
Anthony  O'Donnell,  James  Welsh,  William  Davis,  Edward  Metz. 

COMPANY   I. 

Killed. — William  J.  Price,  Benjamin  B.  Kershner,  George  Dresh. 

Wounded. — ist   Sergt.    Oliver    Davis,    Sergt.    Jacob    Ongstadt, 

Corp.  E.  C.  Kehl,  severely,  Peter  Keller,  John  Clark  severe,  William 

Owens,    severe,    John    H.    Cooper,    J.    Willour,    severely,    William 

Kramer. 

COMPANY  K. 
Killed. — Jacob   Lauby. 

Wounded.— II.  W.  Hass,  Milton  Nagle,  William  G.  Keiser, 
Thomas  Hudson. 

Headquarters   2nd   Division,   Ninth   Army   Corps, 

Woody's  House,  June  8th,  1864. 
MAJOR  GENERAL  A.  E.  BURNSIDE,  Ninth  Army  Corps : 

GENERAL: — I  wish  some  regiment  could  be  sent  to 
take  the  place  of  the  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Vols.  My 
line  is  entirely  too  weak,  and  unless  more  force  can  be  put 
upon  it,  it  will  be  endangered  by  a  strong  attack.  The  posi 
tion  of  the  Forty-eighth  is  one  that  should  be  held  by  the 
first  division,  as  it  covers  nearly  the  whole  of  the  left  and 

13 


194 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


centre  of  that  line.  I  have  put  the  second  mounted  rifles 
in  line,  but  even  with  them  I  have  not  force  enough  to 
fill  my  single  line,  and  if  I  am  to  trust  any  artillery  on  that 
hill  the  line  certainly  ought  to  be  strong  enough  to  hold 
until  I  can  get  it  out.  At  present  I  am  not  willing  to  trust 
any  guns  there,  although  I  think  it  would  be  a  great  relief 
to  the  whole  line.  I  really  think  my  whole  division  should 
be  relieved,  but  I  do  not  feel  like  asking  for  it  without  seeing 
you.  Some  of  my  men  have  been  on  the  skirmish  line  forty- 
eight  hours  without  being  relieved,  and  my  whole  force  has 


Picket  Station,    Petersburg. 

been  at  work  all  night  every  night  since  they  have  been  here, 
and  are  getting  used  up. 

If  the  First  Division  would  relieve  the  Forty-eighth  Penna. 
Vols.  and  connect  with  my  skirmishers  to  the  left  of  the 
Bosher  house,  it  would  not  only  give  them  no  more  duty, 
and  would  considerably  relieve  me. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
Official  Records.  ROBT.  P.  POTTER,  Brig.  Gcnl. 

The  Ninth  Corps,  which,  during  this  time,  had  lost  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing  over  seven  thousand  five  hundred 
men,  had  done  all  that  had  been  required  of  it  promptly 
and  gallantly. 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG  195 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
In  Front  of  Petersburg 

General  Grant  now  put  into  execution  the  plan  he  had 
agreed  upon  with  Gen.  Butler.  Finding  it  impossible  to  get 
to  Richmond  by  the  Peninsular  route,  another  flank  movement 
was  put  into  motion,  and  the  whole  army  was  started  for  the 
James  River.  On  the  I2th  we  passed  through  a  little  settle 
ment  called  Burhamville,  crossed  a  little  stream  called  Diaskin 
River,  and  on  the  I4th  crossed  the  Chickahominy  on  pontoons, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  i6th  crossed  the  James  River  on  a 
pontoon  bridge  composed  of  one  hundred  and  four  boats,  and 
were  in  front  of  Petersburg  on  the  afternoon  of  the  i6th. 

On  the  i6th  of  June,  1864,  the  48th  Regiment,  after  a 
month's  hard  fighting  in  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  Cold 
Harbor,  etc.,  crossed  the  James  River,  and  about  4  p.  m. 
arrived  in  front  of  Petersburg,  just  in  time  to  see  the  7th  New 
York  Heavy  Artillery  Regiment  of  the  2nd  Corps  make  an 
unsuccessful  assault  on  the  rebel  works,  in  which  they  lost 
many  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  also  losing  their 
colors.  About  two  hours  later  we  were  thrown  forward  in 
front  of  the  same  rebel  position  to,  as  we  believed,  assault  the 
same  but  instead  of  doing  so,  we  were  led  past  the  front  of 
their  position  down  the  bed  of  a  creek  until  we  came  to  the 
left,  and  at  an  angle  of,  the  enemy's  line.  About  this  time  it 
became  dark,  and  we  were  in  an  old  line  of  the  enemy's  works 
captured,  a  few  days  previous,  by  Butler's  colored  troops. 

IN  THE  PETERSBURG  TRENCHES 

Although  we  could  not  now  see  the  rebel  position,  we- 
all  knew  that  we  were  very  near  them.  In  fact  too  near  for 
comfort,  so,  at  about  ten  o'clock — and  it  was  as  dark  as  pitch — 
Col.  Pleasants  ordered  Company  G  and  Company  B,  of  which 
last  company  Andrew  Wren  was  a  sergeant,  to  cross  the  creek 
to  the  enemy's  side  to  reconnoitre;  and,  when  within  about 


196 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


fifty  yards  of  their  line,  they  received  a  volley  which  spoke  vol 
umes  to  us.  They  were  ordered  to  fall  back,  but  before  doing  so 
Sergeant  Wren,  who  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  Company 
B's  line,  got  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  enemy's  works,  and, 
seeing  men  pass  along  behind  and  on  top  of  them,  he  so 
reported  to  his  captain  (Bast),  who  sent  the  same  information 
to  Col.  Pleasants,  there  being  some  doubts  by  all  as  to 


The  James   River 


whether  these  men  were  friends  or  foes-  Wren  was  ordered 
forward  to  find  out;  and,  in  company  with  Jacob  Wigner,  also 
of  Company  B,  went  to  these  works,  and,  leaning  over,  was 
just  about  to  ask  whose  troops  these  were,  when  a  big  Johnnie 
grabbed  the  Sergeant  by  the  collar  of  his  blouse,  unceremoni 
ously,  and,  calling  him  a  Yankee  -  — ,  made  him  a 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG  197 

prisoner,  at  the  same  time  also  gobbling  up  Wigner.  Wren 
was  at  once  taken  to  the  centre  of  the  rebel  regiment,  where 
their  colonel  plied  him  with  questions  as  to  what  troops  he 
belonged  to,  whose  corps,  etc. 

This  was  the  beginning  to  Comrade  Wren  of  a  period  of 
ten  months  as  prisoner  of  war,  the  most  of  the  time  being 
spent  at  Andersonville,  Ga.;  his  comrade  being  a  younger  man 
and  a  new  recruit,  not  being  so  well  inured  to  hardship,  soon 
succumbed  and  died  there.  The  scenes  witnessed  by  Comrade 
Wren  during  these  ten  months  in  prison  cannot  be  described; 
and  if  they  could,  the  people  of  to-day  would  not  believe  them. 
The  wonder  now  is  that  a  comrade  is  still  alive  who  went 
through  these  privations,  and  there  is  not  much  doubt  but  our 
comrade  is  very  much  alive,  as  the  moulders  in  the  upper 
foundry  of  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  shops,  of  Pottsville, 
can  testify,  and  he  is  numbered  as  one  of  the  honored 
survivors  of  the  48th  Regiment. 

GATHERING   IN  THE  JOHNNIES 

About  daylight  on  the  i7th,  the  48th  and  the  36th  Massa 
chusetts  crossed  a  swamp  in  single  file,  in -perfect, silence,  the 
line  formed  and  joined  to  that  of  the  second  brigade,  and,  by  a 
quick  movement,  carried  the  works  in  front.  It  was  a  com 
plete  surprise;  the  enemy  was  driven  in  confusion,  four  pieces 
of  artillery  and  six  hundred  prisoners  were  captured. 

In  the  charge  on  the  rebel  line  on  the  morning  of  the 
1 7th  of  June,  1864,  the  48th  Regiment  captured  the  whole  line 
in  their  front,  and  had  more  prisoners  to  take  care  of  than 
there  were  men  in  the  regiment,  besides  having  captured  the 
colors  of  the  44th  Tennessee  Rebel  Regiment,  and  the  7th 
New  York  captured  from  them  the  day  before.  Our  victory 
was  very  complete.  Just  after  daylight  another  advance  was 
made,  and  we  captured  two  brass  field  pieces,  with  the  gunners 
belonging  to  them,  and  sent  them  to  the  rear.  These  guns 
belonged  to  Pegram's  Battery,  and  the  remaining  four  guns 
and  the  men  belonging  to  them  were  buried  at  the  crater 
on  the  3Oth  of  July  following,  the  entire  battery  being  thus 
destroyed  by  the  48th. 


198 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


Meade  to  Grant,  June  I7th,  1864: 

"The  Qth  Corps  captured  two  redoubts,  with  an 
advanced  work  around  a  house,  four  guns,  four  hundred 
prisoners,  and  three  sets  of  colors.  The  Corps  deserves 
great  credit  for  their  attack  this  morning,  as  they  were 
marching  all  yesterday  and  the  night  before,  and  had  no 
rest  last  night,  being  formed  preparatory  to  attacking." 

Comrade  Reid  says: 

"From  June  the  4th  to  the  i5th  we  were  continually  under 
fire,  always  moving  to  the  left;  and  on  the  evening  of  the 


Principal*  3?  nads- .JvCwAKFr 


Richmond    and    Petersburg 

1 5th,  we  arrived  at  the  James  River,  where  we  received  a  much 
needed  supply  of  hard-tack,  and  with  it  a  bountiful  supply 
of  ammunition.  On  the  morning  of  the  i6th  bright  and 
early  we  crossed  the  pontoon  bridge  and  struck  out  direct 
for  Petersburg.  About  noon  we  passed  some  dead  colored 


Sergt.  P.  H.  Monaghan,  Co.  F. 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG  201 

troops  from  Butler's  command,  who  had  been  killed  the  day 
before,  the  first  we  had  seen  of  that  kind.  We  arrived  in  front 
of  the  enemy's  works  at  Petersburg  at  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  just  as  some  troops  of  the  Second  Corps  were 
making  a  charge  on  the  enemy.  The  assault  was  not  suc 
cessful  and  our  troops  lost  some  prisoners.  A  little  later 
our  regiment  was  ordered  forward  out  of  a  strip  of  woods 
where  we  had  rested  after  our  hard  march;  and  we  formed 
line  of  battle  directly  in  front  of  a  small  fort  with  artillery. 
We  all  expected  we  were  going  to  make  an  assault,  but,  in 
place  of  charging,  after  we  advanced  fifty  yards  out  of  the 
woods,  we  formed  column  and,  getting  into  a  gully  through 
which  a  small  creek  ran,  we  followed  it  to  the  right,  leaving 
the  enemy  to  our  left.  Here  darkness  came  on ;  and  we  were 
in  an  abandoned  part  of  the  enemy's  works. 
A  CHARGE  IN  THE  DARK 

"At  ten  o'clock  that  night  Companies  "G"  and  "B"  were 
ordered  over  the  little  creek  to  reconnoitre,  supported  by 
the  rest  of  the  regiment.  We  deployed  as  skirmishers  and 
advanced  almost  to  the  enemy's  works.  They  gave  us  a 
volley,  and  we  were  ordered  to  retire;  but,  before  doing  so, 
"Andy"  Wren  and  a  member  of  Company  "B"  were  taken  pris 
oners.  At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  i/th,  while  we 
were  snatching  a  few  moments  of  sleep  in  the  works,  the 
Colonel  came  along  and  informed  each  company  commander 
that  we  were  going  to  assault  the  enemy's  works,  and  were  to 
charge  with  fixed  bayonets;  we  were  also  told  to  remove  the 
caps  from  our  guns  so  as  to  insure  against  any  one  firing,  to 
attract  the  notice  of  the  enemy.  We  also  secured  our  tincups 
to  prevent  any  rattling.  We  were  then  ordered  to  fix  bayonets 
and  to  uncap  our  pieces;  then  we  moved  out  of  the  works  and 
crossed  the  creek  again,  left  in  front.  After  getting  the  whole 
regiment  over,  we  silently  formed  line;  then,  in  utter  darkness, 
,moved  to  the  right  about  one  hundred  yards,  when,  in  a 
whisper,  the  command  forward  was  given.  Just  at  this  time, 
some  troops  on  our  right  opened  fire,  which  the  enemy 
returned  at  once  along  their  whole  line,  of  which  we  could  see 
only  the  flash  of  their  guns.  We  went  at  them  squarely,  right 


202  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

into  their  firing  line.  Not  one  of  our  regiment  returned  a 
shot  until  we  reached  their  works,  when  there  was  a  short, 
sharp  contest,  and  the  line  was  ours.  I  still  remember  how 
my  heart  beat  when  starting  on  the  charge,  but  it  was  for 
gotten  in  the  glorious  rush  of  the  fight.  We  captured  a  great 
many  prisoners  and  sent  them  to  the  rear.  Amongst  the 
trophies  of  the  fight  were  the  colors  of  the  44th  Tennessee 
Rebel  Regiment  captured,  and  the  colors  of  the  7th  New 


Captain  Joseph   H.   Hoskings,  Co.  F. 
First  President  Survivors'  Association 

York  Heavy  Arillery  re-captured;  also  two  pieces  of  artillery.* 

"Our  regiment  lost  very  heavily  in  this  engagement,  and 

my  company,  in  particular,  was  very  unfortunate  in  the  loss 

of  Lieut.  Curtis  Pollock,  a  very  capable  officer  and  an  excellent 

man." 

SPOILS    OF    WAR 

Captain  Joseph  H.  Hoskings,  of  Company  "F,"  Acting 
Major,  says: 

"I  had  been  acting  major  of  the  regiment  from  the  time 
Maj.  Jos.  A.  Gilmour  was  wounded  up  to  the  i8th  of  June. 

*The  44th  Tennessee's  colors  were  captured  by  Robert  Reid,  of 
Co.  G,  and  the  7th  New  York's  colors  by  Sergeant  P.  H.  Monaghan,  of 
Co.  F.  Both  of  these  gallant  fellows  have  the  Congressional  medal. 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG  203 

We  charged  the  morning  of  the  I7th  of  June  and  took  200 
prisoners  and  the  colors  of  the  44th  Tennessee,  besides  re 
capturing  the  colors  of  the  7th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery, 
which  they  lost  the  day  before;  also  two  cannons,  three 
caissons  and  their  whole  line  on  our  front.  On  the  morning 
of  the  1 8th,  Gen.  John  I.  Curtin  was  wounded  in  the  right 
shoulder.  Col.  Pleasants  took  command  of  the  brigade, 
and  I  was  put  in  command  of  the  regiment,  which  I  retained 
until  the  3d  of  August,  the  day  I  was  wounded  through  the 
left  chest  and  left  arm,  just  seventeen  days  before  the  expira 
tion  of  my  commission."* 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 

On  the  I7th  of  June  a  gallant  and  successful  assault  of  a 
portion  of  the  enemy's  works  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  was  made 
by  the  ist  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  pth  Army  Corps,  of  which 
the  48th  Regiment  formed  part.  During  the  charge  the  regi 
ment  re-captured  the  colors  of  the  7th  New  York  Regiment,  of 
2nd  Corps,  which  had  been  captured  by  the  enemy  the  day 
previously  while  on  a  charge,  also,  the  rebel  colors  of  the 
44th  Tennessee  Regiment.  The  brigade  took  1.170  prisoners 
and  two  pieces  of  artillery.  The  casualties  of  the  regiment  in 
this  charge  were  as  follows: 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded. — Elias     Britton,     mortally;     John     Holman,     John 
McLean,  John  Cochran,  William  Huckey,  John  H.  Shaffer,  Joel  Lins. 

COMPANY   B. 

Wounded. — Sergt.   R,  Campbell,  Corp.  James   Rider. 
Missing. — Corp.  A.  Wren,  Jacob  Wigner. 


*Captain  Hoskings  was  a  thorough  military  man.  Before  the  war 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Minersville  Artillery,  from  1848  until  1653, 
then  he  was  orderly  sergeant  of  the  Ringgold  Rifles  up  to  1857,  when 
he  was  elected  their  captain,  and  his  Company  F  in  the  48th  was,  in  a 
large  measure,  made  up  from  that  command.  In  the  three  months' 
service  he  served  under  Col.  Oakford,  of  Scranton,  in  the  I5th  Penn 
sylvania  Regiment,  as  first  lieutenant  of  the  Curtin  Guards,  of  Centre 
County,  Lieut.  Nichols,  of  Company  G,  and  he  raised  the  United 
States  flag  on  the  Court  House  at  Martinsburg,  Va.,  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1861. 


204  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

COMPANY  C. 

Wounded—  Sergt.    H.   Weiser. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded. — Lieut.  J.  Helms,  severe;  Corp.  Jacob  Deitrich, 
severe;  L.  Deitrich,  severe;  J.  D.  Casper,  Joseph  Berlinger,  severe. 

COMPANY  E. 

Killed. — John  Major. 

Wounded. — William  Rasons,  severe;  Thomas  Clemens,  severe; 
James  Regan,  severe;  James  M>ercer,  severe;  R.  B.  Thompson, 
severe. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed.— H.   F.   Straub,   Isaac  Lewis. 

Wounded. — Murt  Brennan,  Pat  Boran,  Corp.  Robert  Wallace, 
E.  L.  Shisskr. 

COMPANY  G. 

Missing. — Mike   La  veil,   William  Auchenback. 
Wounded. — Lieut.  C.  C.  Pollock,  severe;  Howard  Jones,  severe; 
Joshua   Reed,   severe. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed. — George  W.  Morey,  Jefferson  W.  Beyerle,  James 
Mulholland,  Anthony  Gallagher. 

Wounded. — Lieut.  D.  B.  Brown,  Charles  Eberle,  Lewis  Aurand, 

Jonathan  Dillet. 

COMPANY   I. 

Wounded. — Lieut.  Joseph  Edwards,  severely;  Frank  E.  Ringer, 
William  Kramer,  severe. 

COMPANY  K. 

Killed.— Nathan   Rich. 

Wounded. — Sergt,  Thomas  Irwin,  severe;  John  Gillinger,  Oliver 
W.  Schwartz,  David  Houser. 

The  following  were  the  casualties  on  the  following  day, 

the  i 8th: 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded. — Henry  Schreyer,  Francis  M.  Stidham,  severe; 
James  W.  Sterner,  William  Dreibelbeis,  Joseph  Dreibelbeis. 

COMPANY  C. 

Wounded. — Gilbert    Graham. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded. — Joseph    Lindemuth,   severe. 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG  205 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed. — Simon   Devlin. 

COMPANY  H. 
Killed.— Thomas   Davis. 

COMPANY   I. 

Wounded. — Corp.   Benjamin   Williams,    Chris.    Seward,    Samuel 
T.  DeFrehn,  severely;  Jacob  Reichwein,  Charles  R.  Koch,  severely. 

COMPANY  K. 

Killed.— Arthur  L.  Gray. 

Meade  to  Burnside,  June  I7th,  1864: 

It  affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  congratulate  you  and 
your  gallant  corps  on  the  assault  this  morning,  knowing  the 
wearied  condition  of  your  men  from  the  night  march  of  over 
twenty-two  miles,  and  the  continual  movement  this  last 
night ;  their  persistence  and  success  is  highly  creditable. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

JUNE  22,  1864. 
ADJUTANT  GENERAL  OF  THE  ARMY: 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  transmit  four  flags, 
captured  from  the  enemy  during  the  operations  before 
Petersburg  by  troops  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  The  flag 
of  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee  Regiment  was  taken  by  the 
Forty-eighth  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  G.  MEADE,  General  Commanding. 
Official  Records. 

HEAVY   LOSSES 

The  loss  in  our  command  in  this  assault  was  seventy-five 
killed  and  wounded.  Amongst  the  killed  I  call  to  mind  par 
ticularly  a  young  boy  from  Minersville,  named  Horace  Straub, 
who  in  a  conversation  with  the  writer  the  evening  before  the 
assault  had  a  presentiment  of  his  death,  saying  that  in  the 
attack  to  be  made  in  the  morning  he  felt  certain  he  would  be 
amongst  the  killed.  In  the  assault  that  followed  his  present 
iments  were  verified.  He  fell  at  the  first  discharge. 

Another  instance   comes  forcibly  to  my  mind,  that   of 


200  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Isaac  Lewis,  who  was  killed  at  this  time,  and  it  was  reported 
and  vouched  for,  that  directly  opposite  to  the  spot  where 
Lewis  was  killed  on  our  line  a  rebel  soldier  was  shot  in  their 
line,  and  each  killed  the  other. 

Sergeant  W.  J.  Wells,  of  Company  F,  says: 

"After  the  capture  of  the  rebel  line  on  the  morning  of 
the  1 7th,  by  the  2nd  Division  of  the  pth  Corps,  commanded 
by  General  Potter,  Colonel  Curtin  commanding  the  ist  and 
Colonel  Griffin  the  2nd  Brigades,  efforts  to  re-capture  the  line 
were  made  by  the  enemy,  which,  though  not  successful, 
resulted  in  almost  continuous  firing  all  along  the  line  through 
out  the  day;  not  accompanied  by  much  loss,  however,  as  our 
troops  were  well  protected  by  using  the  reverse  of  the 
enemy's  old  line  as  a  breastwork.  Batteries  were  rapidly 
brought  from  the  rear  and  placed  in  prominent  positions  for 
the  support  of  the  division. 

"General  Burnside  now  determined  to  continue  his  success 
of  the  1 7th  by  advancing  his  ist  and  3rd  Divisions  on  the 
morning  of  the  i8th,  the  2nd  Division,  ours,  to  act  in  support. 
Accordingly,  at  clay-dawn,  the  attacking  columns  moved 
forward,  the  2nd  in  support  of  the  3rd  Division.  As  the  battle 
developed,  the  48th  (a  part  of  the  ist  Brigade)  found  itself 
in  front  of  what  was  afterwards  designated,  "Elliott's  Salient," 
with  a  deep  railroad  cut  between  them  and  the  enemy,  who 
were  in  position  in  front  of  the  Salient  and  near  the  cut. 
Led  by  the  gallant  Curtin,  we  made  a  vigorous  charge  down 
to,  and  across  the  cut,  through  a  ravine  beyond,  driving  the 
rebels  before  us,  almost  into  their  works.  The  point  gained 
was  nearer  the  main  line  of  the  enemy  than  that  secured  by  any 
other  portion  of  the  army.  Finding  their  position  too  strong 
to  assail  successfully,  the  line  halted,  and  immediately  com 
menced  to  fortify.  The  48th  continued  to  hold  this  position 
until  after  the  successful  explosion  of  their  mine  on  July  3Oth. 
General  Curtin  having  been  seriously  wounded  in  this  charge, 
Colonel  Henry  Pleasants  took  command  of  the  brigade,  and 
Captain  Joseph  H.  Hoskings  that  of  the  regiment." 


IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG 


HOLDING   THE   LINES 


207 


General  Burnside,  in  his  report  of  these  operations,  said: 
"No  better  fighting  has  been  done  during  the  war  than  was 
done  by  the  divisions  of  Generals  Potter  and  Wilcox  during 
the  attack,"  while  General  Potter  (Robert  B.)  in  concluding 
his  report  of  the  operations  of  the  2nd  Division  from  the 
Wilderness,  to  and  including  the  investment  of  Petersburg, 
says  as  follows:  "From  the  iQth  of  June  to  the  2Qth  of  July, 
nothing  very  marked  occurred,  each  day  being  a  repetition  of 
the  preceding.  During  the  fifth  epoch,  (from  June  I2th  to 
the  2Qth)  my  losses  were:  173  killed;  744  wounded,  and  22 
missing;  total,  939.  During  the  entire  period,  from  May  5th 
to  June  29th,  1864,  inclusive,  embraced  in  the  foregoing  report, 
the  losses  in  action  in  the  division,  were  542  killed:  2,505 
wounded,  and  384  missing;  a  total  of  3,431." 


208  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Petersburg  Mine 

Skirmishing  took  place  daily.  Some  of  the  collisions 
were  pretty  heavy,  and  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded  \vas 
enormous.  These  encounters  were  for  the  purpose  of  gaining 
ground  to  straighten  the  line  now  encircling  Petersburg. 
Directly  opposite  the  position  occupied  by  the  second  division 
of  the  Ninth  Corps,  the  enemy  had  constructed  a  strong 
redoubt,  a  short  distance  below  the  crest  of  Cemetery  Hill. 
To  carry  this  position  by  a  direct  assault  would  require  a 
terrible  sacrifice  of  life. 

THE  MINE  PROPOSED 

Official  Records. 

HEADQUARTERS    2ND     Div.    pxn    ARMY    CORPS, 

JUNE  24TH,  1864. 
MAJOR  GENERAL  JNO.  G.  PARKE, 

Chief  of  Staff  pth  Army  Corps: 

GENERAL  : — Lieutenant  Colonel  Henry  Pleasants,  of  the 
Forty-eighth  Penna.  Veteran  Volunteers,  commanding  First 
Brigade,  has  called  upon  me  to  express  his  opinion  of  the 
feasibility  of  mining  the  enemy's  work  in  my  front.  Colonel 
Pleasants  was  a  mining  engineer  in  charge  of  some  of  the 
principal  works  of  Schuylkill  County,  Penna.  He  has  in 
his  command  upwards  of  eighty-five  enlisted  men  and  four 
teen  commissioned  officers  who  are  professional  miners.  The 
distance  from  inside  our  work,  where  the  mine  would  have 
to  be  started,  to  inside  of  enemy's  work,  does  not  exceed 
one  hundred  yards.  He  is  of  the  opinion  that  they  could  run 
a  mine  forward  at  the  rate  of  twenty-five  to  fifty  feet  per 
day,  including  supports,  ventilation,  and  so  on.  A  few 
miners'  picks,  which  I  am  informed  could  be  made  by  any 
blacksmith  from  the  ordinary  ones ;  a  few  handbarrows, 
easily  constructed ;  one  or  two  mathematical  instruments, 
which  would  be  supplied  by  the  engineer  department,  and 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  209 

the  ordinary  entrenching  tools,  are  all  that  are  required.  The 
men  themselves  have  been  talking  about  it,  and  are  quite 
desirous,  seemingly,  of  trying  it.  If  you  desire  to  see  Col. 
Pleasants  I  will  ride  over  with  him  or  send  him  up  to  you. 

R.  B.  POTTER,  Brig.  Gcnl. 

June   30th,    1864,   pth    Army    Corps,    Maj.    Gen.   A.    E. 
Burnside  2nd  Div.,  Brig.   Gen.   R.   B.  Potter;   1st   Brigade, 
Lt.   Col.  H.  Pleasants;  48th  Penna.  Yols.,   Captain  Jos.  H. 
Hoskings. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

CITY  POINT,  VA.,  JULY  3RD,  1864. 

LIEUT.  COL.  PLEASANTS: — In  order  to  be  enabled  to 
have  a  clear  judgment  of  the  progress  of  the  mining  work 
in  front  of  General  Burnside's  rifle-pits,  I  would  like  to  be 
furnished  with :  First.  A  rough  longitudinal  section  made 
after  a  certain  scale  through  our  works  neighboring  the 
mine,  through  the  mine  gallery,  and  through  the  enemy's 
works,  to  be  attacked  by  the  mine.  This  section  with  all 
important  numbers  inscribed,  will  show,  besides  profiles  of 
the  mine  gallery  entrance  with  reference  to  our  own  defense 
line ;  the  arrangement  of  the  entrance,  whether  by  shaft  or 
by  an  incline  gallery,  etc.,  the  height  of  the  gallery  in  both 
the  places  not  framed  and  such  as  are  supplied  with  frames ; 
the  length  of  the  intended  gallery;  its  depth  under  the 
natural  horizon  near  the  entrance,  and  near  the  powder 
chamber,  and  finally  the  location  length,  and  height  of 
the  latter. 

Second.  A  profile  of  the  gallery  showing  its  width  in 
framed  and  unframed  places  and  the  width  of  the  powder 
chamber. 

Third,  (a)  When  was  the  mining  work  begun?  (state 
day  and  hour.)  (b)  Has  it  been  continued  night  and  day 
without  any  interruption,  and  how  many  men  were  and  are 
engaged  on  it  at  the  same  time?  (c)  When  will  the  gallery 
be  finished? 

Fourth.  What  kind  of  soil  is  probably  to  be  expected 
around  the  powder  chamber? 


210  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Fifth.  What  is  the  intended  weight  of  the  charge,  and 
Avhat  is  the  expected  diameter  of  the  crater  measured  on  its 
surface? 

Sixth.  By  what  means  shall  the  mine  be  fired,  sup 
posed  that  it  shall  be  fired  as  soon  as  possible  and  with  the 
least  loss  of  time? 

Seventh.     What   means   shall   be   used   for   tamping  the 
mine,  and  at  what  length  shall  this  be  done? 

Eighth.     Where   shall   the   standpoint   be   of   the   miner 
firing  the  charge? 

Ninth.     At  what  time  in  the  day  shall  the  mine  be  fired? 

Tenth.  What  measures  are  premeditated  by  the  engi 
neer  department  in  accordance  with  the  commanding 
General  to  secure  the  possession  of  the  crater  affected  by  the 
mine  and  to  facilitate  its  defense? 

The  questions  above  should  be  answered  without  delay 
and  as  shortly  as  possible,  only  with  reference  to  its 
numbers,  i.  e.,  answers  to  3rd,  a,  b,  c,  etc. 

J.  G.  BARNARD, 
Brig.  Gen.  Chief  Eng.  U.  S.  Armies  in  the  Field. 

THE    MINE   AS    PLANNED 

HEADQUARTERS  48™  PENNA.  VET.  VOLS. 

NEAR  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  JULY  7x11,  1864. 
BRIG.  GEN.  J.  G.  BARNARD: — Answer  to  question  2nd: 
The  gallery  or  tunnel  is  supported  by  props  along  its  whole 
length  at  a  distance  from  each  other  ranging  from  three  to 
thirty  feet,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  roof.  When  the 
tunnel  reaches  a  point  immediately  underneath  the  enemy's 
breast-works  it  is  proposed  to  drive  two  galleries,  each  about 
one  hundred  feet  in  length,  whose  position  will  be  immedi 
ately  underneath  the  enemy's  breast-works  and  fort. 

Answer  to  question  3  (a)  :  At  12  m.  on  the  25th  of 
June,  1864.  (b)  The  mining  has  been  carried  on  without 
interruption  since  it  was  begun.  There  are  210  men 
employed  every  twenty-four  hours,  but  only  two  can  mine 
at  a  time  at  the  extremities  of  the  work,  (c)  The  tunnel 
will  reach  the  enemy's  work  in  about  seven  or  eight  days. 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  211 

Answer  to  question  4:    Sandy  soil. 
Answers  to  questions  5,  6,  7,  8,  9  and   10  still  under 
consideration.     The  mine  is  ventilated  by  means  of  an  air 
shaft,  with  a  furnace  to  rarify  the  air  and  boxes  to  carry  the 
gases  from  the  interior  of  the  gallery  to  the  shaft. 

HENRY  PLEASANTS, 

Lieut.  Col.  48th  Pa.  Regt. 
Rebellion  Records. 

HEADQUARTERS  QTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

JULY  28TH,  1864,  1.45  A.  M. 

GEN'L.  HUMPHREYS: — Before  the  dispatch  of  the  com 
manding  General  could  be  communicated  to  Col.  Pleasants 
the  charges  had  all  been  placed,  and  the  tamping  had 
progressed  so  far  that  he  deems  it  best  to  keep  on,  as  the 
present  stage  would  not  serve  to  keep  the  mine  dry  any 
more  than  if  tamping  were  finished,  besides,  the  air  in 
the  mine  is,  for  some  reason,  becoming  very  bad,  so  much 
so  that  it  makes  it  difficult  for  the  men  to  work.  He,  as 
well  as  the  miners,  say  the  powder  will  keep  dry  for  a 
week.  Shall  he  keep  on?  A.  E.  BURNSIDE, 

Major  General. 

MEASURES    FOR    ASSAULT 

Extract  from  Orders,  July  2Qth,  1864.  Official  records: 

"8.  At  3.30  in  the  morning  of  the  3Oth,  Major  General 
Burnside  will  spring  his  mine,  and  his  assaulting  columns 
will  immedately  move  upon  the  breach,  seize  the  crest  in 
the  rear,  and  effect  a  lodgment  there. 

"He  will  be  followed  by  Major  General  Ord,  who  will 
support  him  on  the  right,  directing  his  movement  to  the 
crest  indicated,  and  by  Major  General  Warren,  who  will 
support  him  on  the  left.  Upon  the  explosion  of  the  mine 
the  artillery  of  all  kinds  in  battery  will  open  these  points 
of  the  enemy's  works  whose  fire  covers  the  ground  over 
which  the  columns  must  move,  care  being  taken  to  avoid 
impeding  the  progress  of  the  troops. 

"Special  instructions  respecting  the  direction  of  fire  will 
be  issued  through  the  chief  of  artillery. 


212  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

"10.     Promptitude,    rapidity    of    execution,    and    cordial 

co-operation  are  essential  to  success,  and  the  commanding 

General  is  confident  that  this  indication  of  his  expectations 

will  insure  the  hearty  efforts  of  the  Commanders  and  troops. 

"By  command  of  MAJOR  GENERAL  MEADE." 

"Promptitude  and  rapidity  of  execution"  were  lacking, 
and  the  result  was  a  dismal  failure. 

As  early  as  the  2ist  of  June  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  Pleasants, 
of  the  48th,  then  in  command  of  the  1st  Brigade,  conceived 
the  idea  of  excavating  a  mine  underneath  this  fort  which  so 
temptingly  loomed  up  in  his  front  and  of  opening  up  the 
enemy's  line  by  means  of  an  explosion.  On  the  24th  he 
stated  his  plans  to  Gen.  Potter,  who,  in  turn,  proposed  it  to 
Gen.  Burnside.  At  a  subsequent  interview  with  Generals 
Burnside  and  Potter,  in  which  Col.  Pleasants  fully  presented 
his  views,  it  was  decided  to  attempt  the  execution  of  his 
designs,  and  he  was  ordered  to  proceed  with  his  work.  "It 
was  commenced,"  says  Col.  Pleasants  in  his  official  report, 
"at  12  m.,  the  25th  of  June,  1864,  without  tools,  lumber  or 
any  of  the  materials  requisite  for  such  work." 

IMPROVISED  TOOLS 

The  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the  war,  Volume  I, 
pages  i  and  2,  say  that  "Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants  labored  under 
disadvantages  in  the  successful  accomplishment  of  this  im 
portant  work,  which  would  have  deterred  a  man  of  less 
energy.  It  was  not  merely  the  evident  lack  of  faith  in  the 
success  of  the  enterprise  shown  by  all  officers  of  high  rank, 
except  his  division  and  corps  commanders,  but  the  lack  of 
faith  was  accompanied  by  an  entire  failure  to  furnish  the 
assistance  and  implements  necessary  to  the  success  of  the 
undertaking  within  a  reasonable  time.  The  testimony  of 
Col.  Pleasants  shows  that  he  had  to  dig  and  toil  with  only 
the  men  of  his  own  regiment,  that  the  dirt  had  to  be  carried 
out  in  cracker  boxes,  slung  on  poles  for  lack  of  wheelbarrows, 
that  he  was  refused  the  use  of  an  instrument  at  headquarters 
wherewith  to  make  the  necessary  triangulations,  but  that 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  213 

Gen.  Burnside  had  to  send  to  Washington  for  an  old-fashioned 
theodolite.  Gen.  Meade  and  Maj.  Duane,  ^chief  engineer 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  said  the  thing  could  not  be  done ; 
that  it  was  "all  clap-trap  and  nonsense,  that  such  a  length  of 
mine  had  never  been  excavated  in  military  operations,  and 
could  not  be." 

Colonel  Pleasants'  official  report  continues:  "The  mining 
picks  were  made  out  of  those  used  by  our  pioneers;  plank  I 
obtained  at  first  by  tearing  down  a  rebel  bridge  and  after 
wards  by  sending  to  a  saw  mill  five  or  six  miles  distant.  The 
material  excavated  was  carried  out  in  hand-barrows,  con 
structed  of  cracker  boxes.  The  work  progressed  rapidly 
until  the  2nd  of  July,  when  it  reached  extremely  wet  ground; 
the  timbers  gave  way,  and  the  roof  and  floor  of  the  mine 
nearly  met.  I  retimbered  it  and  started  again.  From  this 
point  I  had  to  excavate  a  stratum  of  marl,  the  consistency  of 
putty,  which  caused  our  progress  to  be  very  slow." 

DIFFICULTIES  AND   PERSEVERANCE 

"To  avoid  this,  I  started  an  inclined  plane,  and,  in  about 
one  hundred  feet,  raised  thirteen  and  one-half  feet  perpendicu 
lar.  On  the  1 7th  of  July,  the  main  gallery  was  completed, 
being  five  hundred  and  ten  and  eight-tenths  feet  in  length. 
The  enemy  having  obtained  information  of  the  mine,  and 
having  commenced  searching  for  it,  I  was  ordered  to  stop 
operations,  which  were,  however,  recommenced  on  the  i8th 
of  July  by  starting  the  left  lateral  gallery.  At  6  p.  m.,  July 
i8th,  I  started  the  right  lateral  gallery,  but,  as  the  enemy 
could  be  plainly  heard  working  over  us  in  the  Fort,  I  caused 
this  gallery  to  be  excavated  a  little  beyond  and  to  the  rear 
of  their  works,  and  gave  it  a  curved  line  of  direction.  The 
left  lateral  gallery  being  thirty-seven  feet  long,  was  stopped 
at  midnight  July  22d;  the  right  gallery  being  thirty-eight  feet 
long,  was  stopped  at  6  p.  m.,  July  23d.  The  mine  could  have 
been  charged  and  exploded  at  this  time,  but  I  employed  the 
men  from  that  date  in  draining,  timbering  and  placing  the 
magazines  in  position.  The  mine  was  ventilated,  at  first,  by 
having  the  fresh  air  go  in  along  the  main  gallery  as  far  as 


!  ICO  SO   60   40  20    0 


100 


SCO  300  400  Feet. 


Horizontal  Scale 

Plan. 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  215 

it  was  excavated,  and  return  charged  with  all  the  gases 
liberated  from  the  ground  and  generated  in  the  mine  in  a 
square  tube  made  of  boards,  whose  area  was  sixty  inches. 
This  tube  led  to  a  perpendicular  shaft  twenty-two  feet  high, 
out  of  which  the  vitiated  air  escaped.  At  the  bottom  of  this 
shaft  a  grating  was  placed  on  which  a  fire  was  kept  continually 
burning,  which,  by  heating  the  air,  rarified  it  and  increased  its 
current.  Afterward  I  caused  the  fresh  air  to  be  led  in  the 
above-mentioned  tube  to  the  end  of  the  work  and  the  vitiated 
air  to  return  by  the  gallery  and  out  at  the  shaft,  placing  a 
partition  to  prevent  its  exit  by  the  entrance  of  the  mine.  The 
latter  plan  was  the  better,  because  the  gases  had  to  travel  a 
less  distance  in  the  mine  before  they  left  it  than  before. 

"The  mine  was  excavated  by  the  enlisted  men  of  the  48th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment.  As  the  excavation  progressed  the 
number  required  to  carry  out  the  earth  increased,  until,  at 
last,  it  took  nearly  every  enlisted  man  in  the  regiment,  which 
consisted  of  nearly  four  hundred  men.  The  whole  amount  of 
material  excavated  was  eighteen  thousand  cubic  feet.  The 
great  difficulty  to  encounter  was  to  obtain  the  exact  distance 
from  the  entrance  of  the  mine  to  the  enemy's  works,  and  the 
course  of  these  works.  This  was  accomplished  by  making 
five  separate  triangulations  with  a  theodolite  and  taking 
their  mean.  The  triangulations  were  made  in  our  most 
advanced  line  of  works,  and  within  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
three  yards  of  the  enemy's  line  of  sharpshooters. 

THE  POWDER  PLACED 

"Having  received  the  order  to  charge  our  mine  on  the 
27th  of  July,  I  commenced  putting  in  the  powder  at  4  p.  m. 
and  finished  at  10  p.  m."  The  lights  used  while  putting  in  the 
powder  were  bulls-eye  lanterns,  one  of  which  is  now  in 
possession  of  the  writer.  "The  charge  consisted  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  kegs  of  powder,  each  containing  twenty- 
five  pounds — four  tons.  It  was  placed  in  eight  magazines, 
connected  by  wooden  tubes,  half  filled  with  powder.  These 
tubes  met  from  the  lateral  galleries  at  the  inside  end  of  the 
main  gallery,  and  from  this  point  I  placed  three  lines  of  fuses 


216 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


for  a  distance  of  ninety-eight  feet.  Not  having  fuses  as  long 
as  required  two  pieces  had  to  be  spliced  together  to  make  the 
requisite  length  of  each  of  the  lines.  The  tamping,  which 
consisted  of  bags  of  earth,  was  begun  at  10  p.  m.,  July  2/th, 
and  completed  at  6  p.  m.,  July  28th.  Thirty-four  feet  of  main 
gallery  was  tamped  and  ten  feet  of  the  entrance  of  each  of  the 
lateral  galleries,  but  the  space  between  the  magazines  was 
left  clear  of  tamping.  I  received  orders  from  corps  head- 


Lieut.    Douty,   Co.    K. 

quarters  on  the  2Qth  of  July  to  fire  the  mine  at  half-past  three, 
and  July  3Oth  I  lit  the  fuse  at  a  quarter  past  three  a.  m.,  and 
having  waited  until  a  quarter  past  four  without  any  explosion 
having  taken  place,  Sergeant  Harry  Reese,  of  Company  F, 
accompanied  by  Lieut.  Jacob  Douty,  of  Company  K,  volun 
teered  to  go  in  the  mine  and  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  delay. 
It  was  found  that  the  fire  had  stopped  where  the  fuse  had  been 
spliced.  They  were  re-lighted,  and  at  sixteen  minutes  of  five 
a.  m.  the  powder  exploded.  The  size  of  the  crater  formed 
by  the  explosion  was  two  hundred  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  217 

and  twenty-five  feet  deep.  I  stood  on  the  top  of  our  breast 
works  and  witnessed  the  effect  of  the  explosion  on  the  enemy. 
It  so  completely  paralyzed  them,  that  the  breadth  of  the 
breach,  instead  of  being  only  two  hundred  feet,  was  practically 
four  or  five  hundred  yards.  The  rebel  troops  in  the  forts,  both 
right  and  left  of  the  explosion,  ran  away,  and  for  over  an  hour, 
as  well  as  I  could  judge,  not  a  shot  was  fired  by  their  artillery." 
The  work  was  divided  into  "shifts,"  and  these  were  in 
charge  of  trusty  men  who  had  had  experience  in  the  mines 
and  management  of  this  class  of  work.  They  all  reported 
progress  to  Col.  Pleasants,  so  that  complete  harmony  pre 
vailed  to  its  completion.  The  assault  failed  of  success,  and  the 
losses  to  the  Union  forces  were  heavy,  being  about  5,000  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Our  dead  and  wounded  lay 
in  our  front  until  August  ist,  when  the  dead  were  buried  and 
the  wounded  brought  within  our  lines.  Permission  was  asked 
from  the  rebel  authorities  on  the  morning  of  the  day  after 
the  assault  to  perform  this  duty,  but  it  was  inhumanly  refused. 
The  dead  were  buried  in  a  large  ditch  in  front  of  our  line. 

FAILURE  OF  THE  ASSAULT 

The  fourth  division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  composed  of 
colored  troops,  had  been  selected  and  specially  drilled  to  lead 
the  assault  upon  the  crater  after  the  explosion;  but  this 
arrangement  having  been  abandoned  prior  to  the  explosion, 
General  Ledlie's  first  division  of  that  corps  was  selected  for 
that  purpose.  Probably  at  no  other  time  during  the  war 
was  there  a  better  opportunity  for  a  successful  operation  and 
ending  of  the  war  than  at  the*  springing  of  the  mine  in  front 
of  Petersburg  July  30,  1864. 

July  3 ist,  1864.  9th  Army  Corps,  Major  General  A.  E. 
Burnside;  2nd  Div.,  Brig.  General  Robert  B.  Potter;  ist 
Brigade,  Col.  Zenas  R.  Bliss ;  48th  Penna.  Vols.  Lt.  Col.  H. 
Pleasants. 

Notwithstanding  the  adverse  circumstances  at  the  outset, 
Col.  Pleasants  had  the  whole  mine,  lateral  galleries  and  all, 
ready  to  put  in  the  powder,  on  the  23d  of  July,  1864.  With 
proper  tools  and  instruments  it  could  have  been  done  in  one- 


In    Front   of   Petersburg 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  219 

third  of  the  time.  The  greatest  delay  was  occasioned  by  the 
work  of  taking  the  material  out.  This  had  to  be  carried  the 
whole  length  of  the  gallery,  which  was  510  feet  long.  Every 
night  the  pioneers  of  the  48th  Regiment  were  obliged  to  cut 
brush  to  cover  the  fresh  dirt  at  the  mouth  of  the  mine; 
otherwise  the  enemy  could  have  observed  it  from  outlooks 
inside  of  his  lines. 

GENERAL   BURNSIDE'S   PLAN 

When  the  mine  was  ready  for  the  explosives  Gen.  Meade 
requested  Gen.  Burnside  to  submit  a  plan  of  attack.  This 
was  done  in  a  letter  dated  July  26,  1864,  in  which  Gen.  Burn- 
side  said:  "It  is  altogether  probable  that  the  enemy  is 
cognizant  of  the  fact  that  we  are  mining,  because  it  is  men 
tioned  in  their  papers,  and  they  have  been  heard  at  work  on 
what  are  supposed  to  be  shafts  in  close  proximity  to  our 
galleries.  But  the  rain  of  night  before  last  has,  no  doubt, 
much  retarded  their  work.  We  have  heard  no  sound  of 
workmen  in  them  either  yesterday  or  to-day;  and  nothing  is 
heard  by  us  in  the  mine  but  the  ordinary  sounds  of  work  on 
the  surface  above. 

'This  morning  we  had  some  apprehension  that  the  left 
lateral  gallery  was  in  danger  of  caving  in  from  the  weight  of 
the  battery  above  it  and  the  shock  of  their  firing.  But  all  pos 
sible  precautions  have  been  taken  to  strengthen  it,  and  pre 
serve  it  intact.  The  placing  of  the  charge  in  the  mine  will  not 
involve  the  necessity  of  making  a  noise.  It  is  therefore 
probable  that  we  will  escape  discovery  if  the  mine  is  to  be 
used  within  two  or  three  days.  It  is  nevertheless  important, 
in  my  opinion,  that  the  mine  should  be  exploded  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment  consistent  with  the  general  interests  of  the 
campaign. 

"My  plan  would  be  to  explode  the  mine  just  before  day 
light  in  the  morning  or  at  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  to  mass 
the  two  brigades  of  the  colored  division  in  rear  of  my  first 
line  in  column  of  division — double-columns  close  in  mass — 
the  head  of  each  brigade  resting  on  front  line,  and  as  soon 
as  the  explosion  takes  place,  move  them  forward,  with  in 
structions  for  the  division  to  take  half  distance,  and  as  soon 


- 


220  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

as  the  leading  regiments  of  the  two  brigades  pass  through 
the  gap  in  the  enemy's  line,  the  leading  regiments  of  the  right 
brigade  to  come  into  line  perpendicular  to  the  enemy's  line 
by  the  right  companies  on  the  right  into  line,  wheel  the  left 
companies  on  the  right  into  line,  and  proceed  at  once  down 
the  line  of  the  enemy's  works  as  rapidly  as  possible;  and  the 
leading  regiment  of  the  left  brigade  to  execute  the  reverse 
movement  to  the  left,  moving  up  the  enemy's  line.  The  re 
mainder  of  the  columns  to  move  directly  towards  the  crest 
in  front  as  rapidly  as  possible,  diverging  in  such  a  way  as 
to  enable  them  to  deploy  into  column  of  regiments,  the  right 
column  making  as  nearly  as  possible  for  Cemetery  Hill;  these 
columns  to  be  followed  by  the  other  divisions  of  the  corps  as 
soon  as  they  can  be  thrown  in.  This  would  involve  the  neces 
sity  of  relieving  these  divisions  by  other  troops  before  the 
movement,  and  of  holding  columns  of  other  troops  in  readi 
ness  to  take  our  places  on  the  crest  in  case  we  gain  it  and 
sweep  down  it.  It  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  advisable,  if  we 
succeeded  in  gaining  the  crest,  to  throw  the  colored  division 
into  the  town.  There  is  a  necessity  for  the  co-operation,  at 
least  in  the  way  of  artillery,  by  the  troops  on  our  right  and 
left.  Of  the  extent  of  this  you  will  necessarily  be  the  judge. 
I  think  our  chances  of  success,  in  a  plan  of  this  kind,  are  more 
than  even.  I  propose  to  put  in  each  of  the  eight  magazines 
from  twelve  hundred  to  fourteen  hundred  pounds  of  powder; 
the  magazines  to  be  connected  by  a  trough  of  powder  instead 
of  a  fuse.  I  would  suggest  that  the  powder  train  be  parked 
in  a  woods  near  our  ammunition  train,  about  a  mile  in  rear 
of  this  place.  Lieut.  Col.  Pierce,  Chief  Quartermaster,  will 
furnish  Captain  Strang  with  a  guide  to  the  place.  I  also  beg 
to  request  that  Gen.  Benham  be  instructed  to  send  us  at  once 
eight  thousand  sand-bags,  to  be  used  for  tamping  and  other 
purposes." 

A  CORRESPONDENT'S   DESCRIPTION    OF  THE    MINE 

The  following  letter  from  a  correspondent  of  the  New 
York  Herald,  is  a  narrative  of  the  commencement  and  progress 
of  the  mine: 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  221 

NINTH -ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  JULY  27,  1864. 

No  feature  of  the  siege  of  Petersburg  has  been  more  interest 
ing,  and  no  undertaking  more  important,  than  the  construction  of 
the  mine  under  the  rebel  fortifications.  So  extensive  had  been  this 
work,  so  difficult  the  obstructions  overcome,  so  complimentary  its 
success  to  the  genius  and  perseverance  of  our  soldiers,  that  more 
than  a  passing  notice  is  due  to  it. 

After  the  investment  of  the  city,  about  the  2Oth  of  June  last, 
when  our  further  approach  was  disputed  by  the  formidable  character 
of  the  rebel  works,  our  officers  began  to  look  about  them  for  the 
means  of  accomplishing,  with  the  least  possible  sacrifice  of  life,  what 
then  would  have  required  the  most  desperate  and  bloody  valor  on 
the  part  of  our  troops,  viz:  the  successful  assault  of  these  works. 
The  expedient  of  a  mine  originated  with  Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants.  of  the 
48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  Not  that  others  did  not  think  of  it; 
but  by  most  of  our  engineers  the  idea  was  not  entertained. 

The  distance  between  our  first  line  and  the  nearest  important 
rebel  fort  was  over  four  hundred  feet — too  long  to  hope  for  success 
when  all  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered  in  the  way  of  quicksands, 
underground  marshes,  and  discovery  by  the  enemy,  were  taken  into 
consideration.  Col.  Pleasants,  however,  cherished  the  idea.  The 
rebel  fort  loomed  temptingly  up  in  front  of  his  line,  and  being  a 
man  of  considerable  natural  energy,  and  possessed  of  much  practical 
experience  in  mining  operations,  and  knowing  that  he  would  be 
ably  supported  by  his  regiment,  which  is  mostly  composed  of  miners 
from  Schuylkill  County,  the  coal  region  of  Pennsylvania,  he,  with 
permission,  commenced  operations.  The  Colonel  had  been  engaged 
in  the  mining  business  in  his  native  State  previous  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  rebellion.  The  work  was  commenced  on  the  25th  of  June 
last  as  previously  stated.  Such  was  the  secrecy  with  which  it  was 
conducted  that  for  a  long  time  the  project  was  unknown  even  to 
those  at  whose  side  it  was  going  on.  It  is  true  that  reports  were  in 
circulation  of  a  mine,  but  nobody  could  speak  certainly  of  the  matter. 
So  much  doubt  was  there,  indeed  that  for  a  time  it  was  disbelieved 
that  any  such  undertaking  was  on  foot.  One  soldier  in  the  breast 
works,  by  whose  side  a  ventilating  shaft  emerged,  told  his  comrades 
in  the  most  suprised  manner,  that  "there  was  a  lot  of  fellows  under 
him  a  doing  something;  he  knew  there  was,  for  he  could  hear  'em 
talk."  To  guard  against  indiscretion  on  the  part  of  the  pickets,  to 
prevent  any  meeting  of  our  soldiers  with  the  rebels,  whereat  the  secret 
of  the  mine  might  be  boastingly  or  imprudently  disclosed,  our  pickets 
were  ordered  to  fire  continually.  Hence  the  never-ending  fusilade  on 
the  front  of  the  Qth  Corps,  so  incomprehensible  to  the  other  corps,  and 
which  was  often  referred  to  in  newspaper  paragraphs.  The  enemy, 
doubtless,  suspected  at  first  that  the  undermining  was  going  on,  but 


222  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

when  several  weeks  elapsed  without  any  demonstration  their  suspicions 
began  to  vanish,  especially  as  their  engineers  must  have  thought  the 
plan  unfeasible. 

The  progress  of  the  work  was  necessarily  very  slow,  and  it  was 
not  until  the  25th  instant — just  one  month  after  inception — that  it  was 
completed.  At  the  outset  one  of  the  most  important  points  was  to 
ascertain  the  exact  distance  and  bearing  of  the  rebel  fort.  Working 
under  ground  is  literally  working  in  the  dark.  By  that  particular  pro 
cess  of  surveying  called  "triangulation"  these  were  arrived  at.  To  be 
more  explicit:  distances  were  laid  off  upon  the  ground  behind  our 
works.  From  these  lines  as  bases,  and  with  the  angles  formed  by  lines 
extending  in  the  direction  of  the  fort,  a  simple  geometrical  problem  was 
formed,  the  solution  of  which  gave  the  required  distance.  Five  different 
trinagulations  gave  a  result  of  five  hundred  and  ten  feet.  The  excava 
tion  was  commenced  in  the  side  of  the  hill  whereon  our  exterior  line 
of  works  runs.  The  tunnel,  or,  to  use  the  technical  term,  "gallery,"  is 
about  four  and  a  half  feet  high,  nearly  as  many  feet  wide  at  the  bottom, 
and  two  feet  wide  at  the  top.  The  usual  army  pick  was  not  suited  to 
the  work,  as  its  flukes  were  too  broad  to  permit  their  swinging  in 
the  tunnel. 

This  difficulty  was  easily  overcome  by  filing  down  the  flukes  to 
the  size  of  the  regular  mining  pick.  Water  was  met  with  not  far  from 
the  entrance,  and  for  a  time  gave  no  little  trouble.  The  floor,  however, 
was  planked,  and  the  sides  and  ceiling  shored  up.  A  quicksand  was 
met  with,  and,  to  obviate  it,  the  range  of  the  tunnel  was  curved  upward, 
so  that  the  latter  half  was  several  feet  higher  than  at  the  entrance.  The 
oozing  of  the  water  formed  mud  in  several  places,  so  that  the  regiment 
came  from  their  daily  labors  bespattered  and  stained.  In  fact,  it  was 
easy  during  the  past  month  to  recognize  a  48th  man  by  his  muddy 
boots.  The  earth,  as  fast  as  excavated,  was  conveyed  in  handbarrows, 
made  of  cracker  boxes  or  half  barrels,  to  the  mouth,  where  it  was 
emptied  into  bags,  which  were  afterwards  used  on  the  top  of  the 
breastworks.  In  this  manner  no  betraying  accumulation  of  earth 
took  place. 

The  ventilation  of  the  tunnel  was  most  ingeniously  effected.  Just 
within  our  exterior  line  of  works  a  shaft  was  sunk  to  the  side  of  the 
tunnel,  at  its  junction  with  which  a  fire-place  was  built,  with  a  grating 
opening  into  the  gallery.  One  end  of  a  series  of  tubes  made  of  pine 
boards,  was  inserted  through  the  earth  into  this  fire-place,  where,  as 
the  air  became  rarified  and  ascended,  it  created  a  "suction"  or  draft  in 
the  tubes  connecting  with  the  gallery.  As  fast  as  the  tunnel  progressed, 
additional  tubing  was  jointed  on,  and  followed  the  workmen  step  by 
step.  The  smoke  from  the  fire  could  not,  of  course,  be  concealed; 
but,  to  withdraw  attention  from  it,  fires  were  kept  burning  at  various 
points  along  the  line.  The  lighting  of  the  tunnel  was  effected  simply 
by  placing  candles  or  lanterns  along  the  walls  at  a  distance  of  about 
twenty  feet  apart. 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  22:j 

At  length  the  end  was  reached,  and  the  triangulation  was  abun- 
dantly  verified  by  the  noises  overhead.  The  nailing  of  timber  and  planks 
could  be  distinctly  heard,  and  left  no  doubt  that  the  men  were  directly 
beneath  the  rebel  fort.  The  enemy  were  evidently  making  a  flooring  for 
their  artillery.  As  near  as  could  be  ascertained,  the  distance  from  the 
tunnel  to  the  fort  was  twenty  feet. 

After  it  was  sufficiently  evident  that  a  point  directly  under  the 
fort  was  reached,  the  construction  of  the  mine  was  commenced.  The 
angle  of  the  fort  projects  toward  our  lines,  and  under  this  angle  the 
tunnel  diverged  into  two  galleries,  each  running  as  near  as  could  be 
ascertained,  under  each  side.  It  was  the  intention  to  make  the  mine 
consist  of  eight  magazines,  placed  at  intervals  along  these  branch  gal 
leries,  so  that  the  entire  length  of  the  fort  might  be  blown  up,  in 
place  of  one  spot. 

The  mines  are  eight  in  number — four  in  either  blanch  gallery.  In 
some  cases  they  are  built  in  niches,  and  again  right  across  the  tunnel. 
They  are  two  by  two,  and  the  explosion  will  result  in  four  craters, 
tangent  or  intersecting  each  other. 

The  explosion  of  the  magazines  will  be  effected  through  tubes  of 
pine  wood,  six  inches  square,  lialf  filled  with  powder.  They  run  along 
the  bottom  "of  the  tunnel,  and  enter  the  magazine  through  openings 
made  for  them.  Between  each  pair  of  magazines  and  over  the  tubing 
is  the  "tamping"  of  sand  bags  and  logs. 

The  tubes  extend  only  one  hundred  feet  from  the  mine ;  thence 
they  are  connected  with  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel  by  fuses,  the  regular 
"sure  fire"  coal  mining  fuses  of  Pennsylvania  being  procured  especially 
for  the  purpose. 

The  mine  was  charged  to-day.  The  quantity  of  powder  used 
was  six  tons!  Pause,  and  think  of  it.  Six  tons,  twelve  thousand 
pounds!  Imagine  eight  dry  goods  boxes  (the  magazines  resemble  them 
in  size  or  shape)  filled  with  powder,  and  you  will  have  an  idea  of  the 
mine.  What  a  terrific  spectacle  is  in  store  for  us. 

The    following    is    an    account    of   the    explosion : 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

IN  FRONT  OF  PETERSBURG,  SUNDAY,  JULY  31. 

The  main  feature  of  yesterday's  operations  was  the  blowing  up  of 
a  rebel  fort  early  in  the  morning,  within  three-quarters  of  a  mile  of 
Petersburg,  to  the  southeast  of  that  place,  which  is  described  as  a 
scene  of  most  terrific  grandeur.  The  fort  had  been  undermined  at  the 
distance  of  500  feet  by  a  shaft,  under  the  superintendence  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Pleasants,  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  who  is  a  practical 
miner.  The  fort  was  occupied  at  the  time  of  the  explosion  by  four 
companies  of  the  i8th  South  Carolina  Regiment  with  six  12-pounders 
brass  cannon,  gun-carriages,  caissons,  heavy  ammunition,  etc. 


224  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

The  cross  chamber  of  the  shaft  running  along  under  the  fort  at  a 
depth  of  some  twenty  feet,  was  charged  at  three  different  points,  centre 
and  each  end,  with  in  all  about  ten  thousand  pounds  of  blasting  powder. 
The  first  attempt  to  touch  off  the  mine  failed,  on  account  of  some  defect 
in  the  fuse,  caused  by  dampness,  which  delayed  operations  an 
hour  or  two. 

This  defect  being  remedied,  the  fatal  match  was  applied,  and 
up  went,  with  a  jarring,  dull  thud,  an  oblong  acre  or  more  of  ground, 
in  three  distinct  earth-spouts,  to  a  distance  of  a  hundred  feet  or  so, 
mingled  with  the  guns,  gun-carriages  and  caissons,  and  the  mangled 
forms  of  the  gunners,  all  coming  down  in  a  common  sepulchre,  men 
and  machinery  being  buried,  from  a  partial  covering  to  a  depth  of 
twenty  feet.  The  explosion  has  left  a  deep  oblong  excavation,  some 
hundred  yards  long  and  fifty  wide,  which  is  called  the  "crater." 

Our  troops  subsequently  charged,  but  it  was  after  a  delay 
caused  by  the  change  of  plan.  It  was  too  late.  The  enemy 
recovered  from  the  panic  into  which  they  had  been  thrown 
by  the  explosion,  rallied  to  their  guns,  and  poured  upon  our 
advancing  lines  such  a  withering  fire,  that  they  were  repulsed. 
The  golden  opportunity  was  lost  through  the  fatal  action 
of  a  general  officer. 

There  were  some  interesting  incidents  preceding  the 
explosion.  Four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  eventful  day 
found  Colonel  Pleasants  with  watch  in  hand,  mounted  on  our 
earthworks,  waiting  for  the  grand  explosion.  Anxious  with 
excitement  he  waited,  for  the  fuse  had  been  lighted  by  his 
own  hand,  and  a  few  seconds  would  prove  the  truth  or  incor 
rectness  of  his  theory.  The  time  for  the  explosion  had  passed, 
when  Lieut.  J.  Douty  and  Sergeant  H.  Reese,  of  the  48th, 
volunteered  to  enter  the  gallery  and  ascertain  the  cause  of 
the  delay.  The  fuse  which  was  ninety-eight  feet  in  length, 
was  extinguished.  Fifty  feet  had  been  burned,  but  the 
remainder  was  intact.  A  knife  being  necessary,  Sergeant 
Reese  hurried  to  the  entrance,  and,  obtaining  one,  returned. 
Everything  was  finally  adjusted.  At  4.30  the  fuse  is  again 
lighted,  and  the  men  in  the  trenches  clench  their  guns  with  a 
tighter  grasp,  and  await  the  explosion.  Five  minutes  passed, 
and  all  remains  silent.  The  rebels  in  the  fort,  unconscious  of 
their  doom,  sleep  on;  the  sun,  as  if  anxious  to  witness  the 
spectacle,  mounts  the  horizon,  and  at  that  moment  the  earth 


£?5Af4'  » 

K^\.       0. 


IV:J          £ 

if  •  ,  .j^jj          •** 


226  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

heaves  and  trembles  as  if  shaken  by  an  earthquake.  An  instant 
and  then  a  terrific  explosion;  huge  masses  of  earth,  lifted  as 
a  child  would  toss  a  marble,  men,  cannon,  caissons,  limbers, 
forges,  guns  and  timbers  are  belched  forth  high  in  air,  and 
descend  with  a  heavy  "thud,"  a  shapeless,  chaotic  mass. 

CONFEDERATE    ARTILLERYMEN    DESTROYED 

It  is  doubtful  whether  any  of  the  occupants  of  the  fort 
made  their  escape  from  death  or  capture.  Numbers  were 
doubtless  engulfed  in  the  yawning  crater  when  the  huge  mass 
descended,  and  if  alive,  were  so  deeply  entombed  as  to  render 
extrication  impossible.  Shapeless  masses,  once  men,  were 
found  in  the  debris,  and  some  were  found  half  buried,  and 
were  dug  out  with  bayonets,  sticks  and  swords. 

An  officer,  while  sitting  in  the  ruins,  resting  his  hand  on 
the  loose  earth  blown  up  by  the  explosion,  fancied  that  he 
discovered  a  motion  beneath.  Taking  a  piece  of  board,  he 
explored  the  dirt,  and  in  a  moment  uncovered  the  face  of  a 
rebel  who  had  been  buried  in  the  ruins.  He  was  uninjured, 
although  nearly  suffocated  by  his  premature  burial.  The 
crater  formed  by  the  explosion  was  oblong  in  shape,  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length  and  twenty-five  in  width.  The 
destruction  of  the  fort  was  complete.  Four  companies  of  the 
1 8th  South  Carolina  Regiment,  with  a  portion  of  another, 
were  buried  in  the  debris. 

OBJECTIONS  MADE  TO  AN  ASSAULT  BY  COLORED  TROOPS 

With  a  view  of  making  the  attack  a  certain  success,  the 
division  of  colored  troops,  under  Gen.  Ferrero,  had  been 
drilling  for  several  weeks,  Gen.  Burnside  thinking  that  they 
were  in  better  condition  to  head  a  charge  than  either  of  the 
white  divisions.  They  had  not  been  in  any  very  active  service. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  white  troops  had  performed  very 
arduous  duties  since  the  beginning  of  the  campaign,  and 
before  Petersburg  had  been  in  such  close  proximity  to  the 
enemy  that  no  man  could  raise  his  head  above  the  parapet 
without  being  fired  at.  They  had  been  in  the  habit  of  using 
every  possible  means  for  covering  themselves  from  the 
enemy's  fire. 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  227 

Gen.  Meade  objected  to  the  use  of  the  colored  troops, 
on  the  ground,  as  he  stated,  that  they  were  a  new  division 
and  had  never  been  under  fire;  while  this  was  an  operation 
requiring  the  very  best  of  troops.  Gen.  Burnside,  however, 
insisted  upon  his  programme,  and  the  question  was  referred 
to  Gen.  Grant,  who  confirmed  Gen.  Meade's  views,  although 
he  subsequently  said  in  his  evidence  before  the  committee  on 
the  conduct  of  the  war:  "Gen.  Burnside  wanted  to  put  his 
colored  division  in  front,  and  I  believe  if  he  had  done  so  it 
would  have  been  a  success.  Still,  I  agreed  with  Gen.  Meade 
as  to  his  objection  to  that  plan.  Gen.  Meade  said  that  if  we 
put  the  colored  troops  in  front  (we  had  only  one  division)  and 
it  should  prove  a  failure,  it  would  be  said,  and  very  properly, 
that  we  were  shoving  these  people  ahead  to  get  killed,  because 
we  did  not  care  about  them.  But  that  could  not  be  said  if 
we  put  the  white  troops  in." 

The  mine  was  charged  with  only  eight  thousand  pounds 
of  powder,  instead  of  the  fourteen  thousand  pounds  asked  for, 
the  amount  having  been  reduced  by  order  of  Gen.  Meade;  and, 
while  awaiting  the  decision  of  Gen.  Grant  on  the  question  of 
the  colored  troops,  precise  orders  for  making  and  supporting 
the  attack  were  issued  by  Gen.  Meade. 

In  the  afternoon  of  July  the  2Qth,  Generals  Potter  and 
Wilcox  met  together  at  Gen.  Burnside's  headquarters  to  talk 
over  the  plans  of  the  attack,  based  upon  the  idea  that  the 
colored  troops  should  lead  the  charge,  and,  while  there,  the 
message  was  received  from  Gen.  Meade,  stating  that  Gen. 
Grant  disapproved  of  that  plan,  and  that  Gen.  Burnside 
must  detail  one  of  his  white  divisions  to  take  the  place  of  the 
colored  division.  This  was  the  first  break  in  the  original  plan. 
There  was  then  scarcely  twelve  hours,  and  half  of  that  at 
night,  in  which  to  make  this  change,  and  no  possible  time  in 
which  the  white  troops  could  be  familiarized  with  the  duties 
expected  of  them. 

Gen.  Ledlie's  division,  the  ist,  was  selected  to  lead  the 
attack.  He  received  special  instructions  from  Gen.  Burnside, 
and  proceeded  to  his  brigade  commanders  to  acquaint  them 
of  the  change  in  affairs,  and  to  ascertain  the  way  to  the  point 


228 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


of  attack.  This  was  not  accomplished  until  after  dark  on  the 
evening  before  the  mine  was  to  be  exploded.  The  order  of 
attack,  as  proposed  by  Gen.  Burnside,  was  also  changed,  by 
order  of  Gen.  Meade,  with  the  approval  of  Gen.  Grant.  In 
stead  of  moving  down  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  crater  of  the 
mine,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  the  enemy  from  their  entrench 
ments,  and  removing  to  that  extent  the  danger  of  flank  at 
tacks,  Gen.  Meade  directed  that  the  troops  should  push  at 
once  for  the  crest  of  Cemetery  Hill.  The  approaches  to 
the  Union  line  of  entrenchments,  at  this  particular  point, 
were  so  well  covered  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy  that  they  were 
cut  up  into  a  net-work  of  covered  ways  almost  as  puzzling  as 
the  catacombs  of  Rome. 


Reservoir    Hill,    Petersburg 


Upon  Gen.  Ledlie's  return  from  the  front  orders  were 
issued,  and  the  division  was  formed  at  midnight.  Shortly 
afterwards  it  was  advanced  through  the  covered  ways,  and  .was 
in  position  some  time  before  daybreak,  behind  the  Union 
breastworks,  and  immediately  in  front  of  the  enemy's  fort, 
which  was  to  be  blown  up.  The  orders  were  that  Ledlie's 
division  should  advance  first,  pass  over  the  enemy's  works, 
and  charge  to  Cemetery  Hill,  four  hundred  yards  to  the  right, 
and  approached  by  a  slope"  comparatively  free  of  obstacles; 
the  3rd  Division  (Wilcox's),  as  soon  as  the  ist  Division 
should  leave  the  works,  was  to  advance  to  the  left  of  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  so  as  to  protect  the  left  flank  of  the  first  division ; 
and  the  2nd  Division  (Potter's),  was  to  move  in  the  same  way 


THE  PETERSBURG  MINE  229 

to  the  right  of  Cemetery  Hill.  The  Ninth  Corps  being  out 
of  the  way,  it  was  intended  that  the  Fifth  and  the  Eighteenth 
Corps  should  pass  through  and  follow  up  the  movement. 

A  NIGHT  OF  WAITING 

At  3.30  a.  m.,  Ledlie's  division  was  in  position!  the  2d 
Brigade  Col.  Marshall,  in  front,  and  that  of  Gen.  W.  F.  Bart- 
lett,  the  1st,  behind  it;  the  men  and  officers  were  in  a  feverish 
state  of  expectancy,  the  majority  of  them  having  been  awake 
all  night!  Daylight  slowly  came;  and  still  they  stood  with 
every  nerve  strained,  prepared  to  move  forward  the  instant 
the  order  should  be  given.  Four  o'clock  arrived;  officers  and 
men  began  to  get  nervous,  having  been  on  their  feet  four 
hours;  still,  the  mine  had  not  been  exploded. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Gen.  Ledlie  directed  Maj.  H. 
Powell,  aide-de-camp  on  his  staff,  to  go  to  Gen.  Burnside  and 
report  that  the  command  had  been  ready  to  move  since  3:30 
a.  m.  and  to  inquire  the  cause  of  the  delay  of  the  explosion. 
Maj.  Powell  found  Gen.  Burnside  in  rear  of  the  14-Gun 
Battery;  delivered  his  message;  and  was  told  by  the  General 
that  there  was  some  trouble  with  the  fuse;  but  that  an  officer 
had  gone  into  the  mine  to  ignite  it  again;  and  that  the  explo 
sion  would  soon  take  place. 


230  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Explosion  and  Its  Results 

Just  as  Major  Powell  returned  to  the  rear  of  the  ist 
Division  the  mine  was  sprung.  It  was  a  magnificent  spectacle; 
the  mass  of  earth  went  up  into  the  air,  carrying  with  it 
men,  guns,  carriages  and  timbers,  which  spread  out  like  an 
immense  cloud,  as  it  reached  its  altitude.  So  close  were  the 
Union  lines  that  the  mass  appeared  as  if  it  would  descend 
immediately  upon  the  troops  waiting  to  make  the  charge. 
This  caused  them  to  break  and  scatter  to  the  rear,  and  about 
ten  minutes  were  consumed  in  reforming  for  the  attack. 
Meanwhile,  the  vast  cloud  of  dust  was  disappearing.  The 
order  was  then  given  to  advance.  As  no  part  of  the  Union 
line  of  breastworks  had  been  removed  (which  would  have 
been  an  arduous  as  well  as  a  hazardous  undertaking),  the 
troops  clambered  over  them  as  best  they  could.  This,  in 
itself,  broke  the  ranks,  and  they  did  not  stop  to  reform,  but 
pushed  ahead  towards  the  crater,  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  yards  distant;  the  debris  from  the  explosion  having 
covered  up  the  abatis  and  chevaux  de  frise  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  works.  Little  did  the  men  anticipate  the  sight  they 
would  see  upon  arriving  there — an  enormous  hole  in  the 
ground  about  thirty  feet  deep,  sixty  feet  wide,  and  one 
hundred  and  seventy  feet  long;  filled  with  dust,  great  blocks 
of  clay,  guns,  broken  carriages,  projecting  timbers  and  men 
buried  in  various  ways, — some  up  to  their  necks;  others-  to 
their  waists;  and  some  with  only  their  feet  and  legs  protruding 
from  the  earth.  One  was  pulled  out,  and  he  proved  to  be 
a  second  lieutenant  of  the  battery  which  had  been  blown  up. 
The  fresh  air  revived  him,  and  he  soon  was  able  to  walk  and 
talk.  He  was  very  grateful  and  said  he  was  asleep  when 
the  explosion  took  place,  and  only  awoke  to  find  himself 
wriggling  up  in  the  air,  followed  by  the  descent  and  loss  of 
consciousness. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS 


231 


The  whole  scene  of  the  explosion  struck  every  one  dumb 
with  astonishment  upon  arriving  at  the  crest  of  the  debris. 
It  was  impossible  for  the  troops  of  the  2nd  Brigade  to 
move  forward  in  line,  as  they  had  advanced;  and,  owing  to 
the  broken  state  they  were  in,  every  man  crowded  up  to  look 
into  the  hole;  and,  being  pressed  by  the  ist  Brigade,  which 
was  immediately  in  rear,  it  was  equally  impossible  to  move 
by  the  flank,  by  any  command,  around  the  crater.  Before 
the  brigade  commanders  could  realize  the  situation,  the  two 
brigades  became  inextricably  mixed,  in  the  desire  to  look 


Petersburg,  Va.     Looking  towards   Reservoir  Hill 
Entrance    to    Mine    in    Ravine 


down  into  the  hole.  However,  Col.  Marshall  yelled  to  the  2d 
Brigade  to  move  forward;  and  the  men  did  so,  jumping,  sliding 
arid  tumbling  into  the  hole,  over  the  debris  of  material,  and 
the  dead  and  dying  men.  They  were  followed  by  Gen.  Bart- 
lett's  brigade.  Upon  the  other  side  of  the  crater  they  climbed; 
and,  while  a  detachment  stopped  to  place  two  of  the  dis 
mounted  guns  of  the  battery  in  position  on  the  enemy's  side 
of  the  crest  of  the  crater,  a  portion  of  the  leading  brigade 
passed  over  the  crest  and  attempted  to  reform.  It  was  at 
this  period  that  they  found  they  were  being  killed  by  musket 
shots  from  the  rear,  fired  by  the  Confederates  who  were  still 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

occupying  the  traverses  and  entrenchments  to  the  right  and 
left  of  the  crater.  These  men  had  been  awakened  by  the 
noise  and  shock  of  the  explosion,  and  during  the  interval 
before  the  attack  had  recovered  their  equanimity;  and,  when 
the  Union  troops  attempted  to  reform  on  the  enemy's  side 
of  the  crater,  they  had  faced  about  and  delivered  a  fire  into 
the  backs  of  our  men.  This  coming  so  unexpectedly  caused 
the  forming  line  to  fall  back  into  the  crater. 

After  falling  back  into  the  crater  a  partial  formation  was 
made  by  Gen.  Bartlett  and  Col.  Marshall  with  some  of  their 
troops;  but,  owing  to  the  precipitous  walls,  the  men  could  find 
no  footing  except  by  facing  inwardly,  digging  their  heels  into 
the  earth,  and  throwing  their  backs  against  the  side  of  the 
crater;  or,  by  squatting  in  a  half  sitting,  half  standing  posture. 
Some  of  the  men  were  shot,  even  there,  by  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  in  the  traverses. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Maj.  Powell  was  again  sent 
to  Gen.  Ledlie  to  explain  the  condition  of  affairs,  which  he 
having  seen,  understood  perfectly  well. 

While  the  above  events  were  taking  place  the  enemy  had 
not  been  idle.  They  had  brought  a  battery  from  their  left  to 
bear  upon  the  position,  and  the  crest  of  the  crater  was  being 
swept  with  canister.  Special  attention  was  given  to  this 
battery  by  our  artillery;  but,  for  some  reason,  the  enemy's 
guns  co'uld  not  be  silenced.  Major  Powell  found  Gen.  Ledlie 
and  part  of  his  staff  ensconced  in  a  protected  angle  of  the 
work.  He  gave  to  him  Col.  Marshall's  message;  explained 
to  him  the  situation ;  and  Col.  Marshall's  reasons  for  not  being 
able  to  move  forward.  Gen.  Ledlie  then  gave  orders  that 
Col.  Marshall  and  Gen.  Bartlett  must  move  forward  imme 
diately. 

THE    ENEMY    RETURNS 

The  firing  on  the  crater  was  now  incessant,  and  it  was 
as  heavy  a  fire  of  canister  as  was  ever  poured  continuously 
upon  a  single  objective  point. 

Whether  Gen.  Ledlie  had  informed  Gen.  Burnside  of  the 
condition  of  affairs  as  reported  by  Maj.  Powell  is  not  known ; 
but  it  is  altogether  likely,  as,  shortly  after  his  return,  a  brigade 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS 


233 


of  the  2nd  Division,  (Potter's)  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
S.  G.  Griffin,  advanced  its  skirmishers  and  followed  them 
immediately,  directing  its  course  to  the  right  of  the  crater. 
Gen.  Griffin's  line,  however,  overlapped  the  crater  on  the  left, 
where  two  or  three  of  his  regiments  sought  shelter  in  the 
crater.  Those  on  the  right  passed  over  the  trenches;  but, 
owing  to  the  peculiar  character  of  the  enemy's  works,  which 


The    crater    immediately    after   the    assault 

were  not  single,  but  complex  and  filled  with  pits,  traverses 
and  bomb-proofs,  forming  a  labyrinth  as  difficult  as  the 
passage  of  the  crater  itself,  were  unable  to  advance  further. 
This  broke  up  the  brigade.  Every  organization  melted  away, 
as  soon  as  it  entered  this  hole  in  the  ground,  into  a  mass  of 
human  beings,  clinging  by  toes  and  heels  to  the  almost  per 
pendicular  sides.  If  a  man  was  shot  on  the  crest,  he  fell  and 
rolled  to  the  bottom  of  the  pit. 


234  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

From  the  actions  of  the  enemy,  even  at  this  time,  as  could 
be  seen. by  his  moving  columns  in  front,  he  was  not  exactly 
certain  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  Union  commander.  He 
appeared  to  think  it  possible  it  was  but  a  feint  and  that  the 
main  attack  would  come  from  some  other  quarter.  He,  how 
ever,  massed  some  of  his  troops  in  a  hollow  in  rear  of  the 
crater  and  held  them  in  that  position. 

Meantime,  Gen.  Potter,  who  was  in  the  rear  of  the  Union 
line  of  entrenchments,  being  convinced  that  something  ought 
to  be  done  to  create  a  diversion  and  distract  the  enemy's 
attention  from  this  point,  ordered  Col.  Zenas  R.  Bliss,  com 
manding  his  first  brigade,  to  send  two  of  his  regiments  to 
support  Gen.  Griffiin;  and,  with  the  remainder,  to  make  an 
attack  on  the  right.  Subsequently,  it  was  arranged  that  the 
two  regiments  going  to  the  support  of  Gen.  Griffin  should 
pass  into  the  crater;  turn  to  the  right,  and  sweep  down  the 
enemy's  lines.  Col.  Bliss  was  partly  successful,  and  obtained 
possession  of  some  two  or  three  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's 
lines;  while  one  of  the  regiments  advanced  to  within  twenty  or 
thirty  yards  of  the  battery  whose  fire  was  so  severe  on  the 
troops;  but  could  make  no  further  progress  for  lack  of  sup 
port,  its  progress  being  impeded  by  slashed  timber,  while 
an  unceasing  fire  of  canister  was  poured  into  the  men. 
They,  therefore,  fell  back  to  the  enemy's  traverses  and 
entrenchments. 

At  the  time  of  ordering  forward  Col.  Bliss's  command 
Gen.  Potter  wrote  a  dispatch  to  Gen.  Burnside,  stating  that  it 
was  his  opinion,  from  what  he  had  seen,  and  from  the  reports 
received  from  subordinate  officers,  that  too  many  men  were 
being  forced  in  at  this  point;  that  the  troops  there  being  in 
confusion,  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  an  attack  be  made 
from  some  other  point  of  the  line,  in  order  to  divert  the 
enemy's  attention  and  give  time  to  straighten  out  our  line. 
To  that  despatch  he  never  received  an  answer;  orders  were, 
however,  being  constantly  sent  to  the  three  division  com 
manders  of  the  white  troops  to  push  the  men  forward  as  fast 
as  could  be  done,  and  this  was,  in  substance,  about  all  the 
orders  received  by  them  daring  the  day,  up  to  the  time  of  the 
order  for  withdrawal. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS 


235 


When  Gen.  Wilcox  came  with  the  3rd  Division  to  support 
the  ist,  he  found  the  latter  and  three  regiments  of  his  own, 
together  with  the  regiments  of  Potter's  2nd  Division,  which 
had  gone  in  on  the  right,  so  completely  filling  up  the  crater 
that  no  more  troops  could  be  gotten  in  there;  and  he, 
therefore,  ordered  an  attack  with  the  remainder  of  his  division 
on  the  works  of  the  enemy  to  the  left  of  the  crater. 


**asr- 

The  crater  occupied  by  Confederates  after  the  assault 

This  attack  was  successful,  so  far  as  to  carry  the  en 
trenchments  for  about  one  hundred  yards;  but  they  held  them 
only  a  short  time. 

CONFUSION    AND    DISASTER 

Previous  to  this  last  movement  Major  Powell  had  been 
sent  toGen.Ledlie  and  had  urged  him  to  try  to  have  something 
done  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  crater,  saying  that  every  man 
who  got  into  the  trenches  to  the  right  or  left  of  it  used  them 


236  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

as  a  means  of  escape  to  the  crater,  and  the  enemy  was  reoccu- 
pying  them  as  fast  as  our  men  left.  All  the  satisfaction  he 
received  was  an  order  to  go  back  and  tell  the  brigade  com 
manders  to  get  their  men  out  and  press  forward  to  Cemetery 
Hill. 

About  two  hours  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  Gen. 
Ferrero,  commanding  the  colored  division,  the  4th  of  the  Qth 
Corps,  received  an  order  to  advance  his  division;  pass  the 
white  troops  which  had  halted,  and  move  on  to  carry  the  crest 
at  all  hazards.  Gen.  Ferrero  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  move 
his  division  in,  as  there  were  three  divisions  of  white  troops 
already  huddled  together;  so  he  reported  to  Col.  Charles 
G.  Loring,  of  Gen.  Burnside's  staff,  who  requested  Ferrero  to 
wait  until  he  could  report  to  Gen.  Burnside.  Gen.  Ferrero 
declined  to  wait;  and  then  Col.  Loring  gave  him  an  order,  in 
Gen.  Burnside's  name,  to  halt  without  passing  over  the  Union 
works,  which  order  he  obeyed.  Col.  Loring  then  went  to 
report  to  Gen.  Burnside;  came  back;  and  reported  that  the 
order  was  peremptory  for  the  colored  division  to  advance  at 
all  hazards. 

ADVANCE  OF  THE  NEGRO  TROOPS 

The  division  then  started  in;  moved  by  the  left  flank, 
under  a  most  galling  fire;  passed  around  the  crater  on  the 
crest  of  the  debris;  and  all  but  one  regiment  passed  beyond 
the  crater.  The  fire  upon  them  was  incessant  and  severe ;  and 
many  acts  of  personal  heroism  were  performed  by  officers  and 
men.  Their  drill  for  this  object  had  been  unquestionably  of 
great  benefit  to  them;  and,  had  they  led  the  attack,  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes  from  the  time  the  debris  of  the  explosion  had 
settled  would  have  found  them  at  Cemetery  Hill,  before  the 
enemy  could  have  brought  a  gun  to  bear  upon  them. 

But  the  leading  brigade  struck  the  enemy  which  was 
massed  in  rear  of  the  crater;  and,  in  a  sharp  little  action,  the 
colored  troops  captured  some  two  hundred  prisoners;  and 
re-captured  a  stand  of  colors  belonging  to  a  white  regiment  of 
the  pth  Corps.  In  this  almost  hand-to-hand  conflict,  the  colored 
troops  became  somewhat  disorganized,  and  some  twenty  min 
utes  were  consumed  in  reforming;  then  they  made  an  attempt 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  237 

to  move  forward  again.  But,  unsupported,  subjected  to  a 
galling  fire  from  batteries  on  the  flanks  and  from  infantry  fire 
in  front,  and  partly  on  the  flank,  they  broke  up  in  disorder 
and  fell  back  to  the  crater,  the  majority  passing  on  to  the 
Union  line  of  defenses,  carrying  with  them  a  number  of  the 
white  troops  who  were  in  the  crater  and  in  the  enemy's  en 
trenchments.  Lieut.  Col.  John  A.  Bross,  of  one  of  the  colored 
regiments,  seized  a  stand  of  the  United  States  colors  as  he 
saw  his  men  faltering  when  they  first  met  the  withering  fire 
of  the  enemy,  and,  mounting  the  very  highest  portion  of  the 
crest  of  the  crater,  waved  the  colors  zealously  amid  the  storm 
of  shot,  shell  and  canister.  The  gallant  fellow  was  soon 
struck  to  the  earth. 

The  annexed  report  of  Col.  Sigfried,  who  commanded  a 
brigade  of  colored  troops  in  the  assault,  shows  how  they 
behaved  on  the  occasion: 

HEADQUARTERS,  IST  BRIG.,  4x11  Div.,  QTH  A.  C. 

BEFORE  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  JULY  31,   1864. 

SIR  : — In  obedience  to  orders  I  moved  my  brigade  on  the  morning 
of  the  30th  inst,  down  the  covered  way  immediately  in  the  rear  of 
Col.  Humphrey's  Brigade  of  the  3rd  Division.  On  arriving  at 
the  meadow  I  was  halted  by  the  stopping  of  Col.  H's  Brigade.  After 
remaining  here  sometime,  I,  in  accordance  with  orders,  moved  by 
the  Brigade  of  the  3rd  Division  at  a  flank  as  directed  across  the 
field  through  the  crater  made  by  the  explosion  of  the  mine.  Great 
difficulty  was  experienced  in  passing  through  the  crater,  owing  to 
its  crowded  condition;  living,  dead  wounded  and  dying  crowded  so 
thickly  that  it  was  very  difficult  to  make  a  passage  way  through. 
By  the  great  exertions  of  the  officers  and  heroic  determination  of  the 
men  my  brigade  finally  made  its  way  through,  and  was  halted 
beyond  by  the  Rebel  line  of  entrenchments,  which  was  filled  with 
troops  of  the  ist,  2nd  and  3rd  Divisions;  behind  this  line  it  formed 
in  good  order.  The  43rd  Regiment,  U.  S.  C.  T.,  moved  over  the 
crest  of  the  crater  towards  the  right,  charged  the  enemy's  entrench 
ments  and  took  them,  capturing  a  number  of  prisoners,  a  rebel 
stand  of  colors,  and  recapturing  a  stand  of  national  colors.  This 
line  was  part  of  the  continuous  line  connecting  with  the  crater.  The 
balance  of  my  brigade  was  prevented  from  advancing  into  this  line 
by  the  number  of  troops  of  the  ist,  2nd  and  3rd  Divisions  in  front 
of  them.  This  position  left  my  brigade  very  much  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  enemy,  and  it  was  so  exposed  at  least  an  hour.  Owing 
to  the  crowded  lines  of  troops  of  the  stated  divisions  immediately 


238  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

in  front,  it  was  impossible  to  get  my  brigade  on.  Just  as  the  troops 
in  front  were  about  to  make  a  charge,  a  white  color-bearer,  with  his 
colors,  crossed  the  works  in  retreat,  and  the  troops  gave  way  and 
sought  shelter  in  the  crater  where  was  concentrated  a  terrific  fire 
from  the  enemy's  batteries  and  entrenchments.  My  brigade  held 
its  position  until  pushed  back  by  the  mass  of  troops  which  rushed 
back  upon  it,  and  until  the  enemy  occupied  the  works  to  its  left 
and  the  opposite  side  of  the  entrenchments,  where  becoming  exposed 
to  a  terrific  flank  fire,  losing  its  numbers  rapidly,  and  in  danger  of 
being  cut  off,  it  fell  back  behind  the  line  temporarily  occupied  by  a 
part  of  the  i8th  Corps,  where  it  originally  started  from.  Here  it 
was  rallied  and  placed  in  position  on  this  line. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  the  bravery  of  both 
officers  and  men.  The  former  fearlessly  led,  while  the  latter  fearlessly 
followed  through  a  fire  hot  enough  to  cause  the  oldest  of  troops 
to  falter. 

#  *  *  *  *  * 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  almost  impassable  crowd  of  troops  of  the 
leading  divisions  in  the  crater  and  intrenchments,  Cemetery  Hill  would 
have  been  ours  without  a  falter  on  the  part  of  my  brigade. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  J.  K.  SIGFRIED,  Col.   Commanding. 

The  rout  of  the  colored  troops  was  followed  up  by  a 
feeble  attack  from  the  enemy,  more  in  the  way  of  a  reconnais 
sance  than  a  charge;  but  the  attack  was  repulsed  by  the 
troops  in  the  crater  and  the  entrenchments  connected  there 
with.  It  was  now  evident  that  the  enemy  did  not  fear  a 
demonstration  from  any  other  quarter;  as  they  began  to 
collect  their  troops  for  an  assault. 

THE  SUFFERING  OF  THOSE  IN  THE  CRATER 

About  9.30  a.  m.,  Gen.  Meade  had  given  positive  orders 
to  have  the  troops  withdrawn  from  the  crater.  To  have  done 
so  under  the  severe  fire  of  the  enemy  would  have  produced  a 
stampede,  which  would  have  endangered  the  Union  lines,  and 
might  have  possibly  communicated  itself  to  the  troops  that 
were  massed  in  rear  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  Gen.  Burnside 
thought,  for  these  and  other  reasons,  that  it  was  possible  to 
leave  his  command  there  until  nightfall,  and  then  withdraw 
it.  There  was  no  means  of  getting  food  and  water  to  them, 
for  which  they  were  suffering.  The  midsummer  sun  shone  upon 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  239 

their  heads;  and  wounded  men  died  there  begging  piteously 
for  a  drink  of  water,  a  drop  of  which  was  not  to  be  had,  for 
the  men  had  long  since  drained  their  canteens.  Soldiers 
extended  their  tongues-  to  moisten  their  parched  lips  until 
they  seemed  to  hang  from  their  mouths  like  those  of  thirsty 
dogs,  and  yet  they  were  kept  waiting  in  this  boiling  cauldron, 
suffering  with  thirst  and  worn  out  with  their  all-night  prepara 
tions  and  their  fearful  morning's  work. 

While  the  hours  were  thus  wasted  in  the  time  and  means 
necessary  to  extricate  the  human  mass  from  its  now  perilous 
position,  the  enemy,  having  taken  advantage  of  our  inactivity 
to  mass  his  troops,  was  seen  to  emerge  from  the  bushes  which 
grew  in  the  swale  between  the  hill  on  which  the  crater  was 
situated  and  that  of  the  cemetery.  On  account  of  this  de 
pression  they  could  not  be  detected  by  our  artillery,  and  hence 
no  guns  were  brought  to  bear  on  them.  The  only  place  where 
they  could  be  observed  was  from  the  crater.  But  there  was 
no  serviceable  artillery  there,  nor  no  sufficiently  organized 
infantry  force  to  offer  resistance  when  the  enemy's  column 
pressed  forward. 

All  in  the  crater  who  could  hang  on  by  their  elbows  and 
toes  lay  flat  against  its  conical  wall  and  delivered  their  fire; 
but  not  more  than  a  hundred  men  at  a  time  could  get  into 
position;  and  these  were  only  armed  with  muzzle-loading 
guns;  and,  in  order  to  re-load,  they  were  compelled  to  face 
about  and  place  their  backs  against  the  wall. 

The  enemy's  guns  suddenly  ceased  their  long-continued 
fire  on  the  crater,  and  the  advancing  column  charged  in  the 
face  of  the  feeble  fire  offered  by  the  Union  troops.  At  this 
stage  they  were  perceived  by  our  artillery,  which  opened  a 
murderous  fire,  but  too  late. 

THE  ENEMY  RETAKES  THE  CRATER 

Over  the  crest  and  into  the  crater  they  poured,  and  a 
hand-to-hand  conflict  ensued.  It  was  of  short  duration, 
however;  crowded  as  our  troops  were,  and  without  organiza 
tion,  resistance  was  vain.  Many  men  were  bayoneted  at  that 
point,  some,  probably,  who  would  not  have  been,  except 


240  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

amid  the  excitement  and  heat  of  battle.  About  eighty-seven 
officers  and  1652  men  of  the  9th  Corps  were  captured;  the 
remainder  retiring  to  our  own  lines,  to  which  the  enemy  did 
not  attempt  to  advance. 

THE  COST  OF  MANY  CONFUSED  ORDERS 

In  the  engagement  of  July  3Oth  the  four  divisions  of  the 
Ninth  Corps  had  52  officers  and  376  men  killed;  105  officers 
and  1556  men  wounded;  and  87  officers  and  1652  men  missing 
(captured);  total,  3828.  Gen.  Meade  reported  the  losses  of 
his  army  in  the  assault  on  the  crater  at  4400  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  all  except  about  100  being  in  the  Ninth  Corps. 
Gen.  Mahone  states  that  the  number  of  prisoners  taken  was 

IIOI. 

The  loss  in  Lee's  army  is  not  fully  reported.  Elliott's 
brigade  lost  677,  and  that  was  probably  more  than  half  of  the 
casualties  on  the  Confederate  side.  It  was  provided  in  Gen. 
Meade's  orders  for  the  movement  that  the  cavalry  corps 
should  make  an  assault  on  the  left.  Two  divisions  of  the 
cavalry  were  over  at  Deep  Bottom.  They  could  not  cross 
the  river  until  after  the  Second  Corps  had  crossed,  so  that  it 
was  too  late  in  the  day  before  they  came  up.  Indeed,  the 
head  of  the  column  did  not  appear  before  the  offensive  opera 
tions  were  suspended. 

OTHER    MOVEMENTS   UPON    THE   SIEGE    LINE 

As  Gen.  James  H.  Wilson  had  been  ordered  to  be  in 
readiness,  and  in  view  of  the  unavoidable  delay  of  Gen.  Sheri 
dan,  orders  were  sent  to  Wilson  not  to  wait  for  Gen.  Sheridan, 
but  to  push  on  himself  to  the  Weldon  Railroad.  But  the 
length  of  the  march  prevented  success,  so  no  attack  was 
made  by  the  cavalry,  except  at  Lee's  mills,  where  Gen.  Gregg, 
encountering  cavalry,  drove  them  away  in  order  to  water  his 
horses. 

The  Fifth  Corps  and  the  Eighteenth  Corps  remained 
inert  during  the  day,  excepting  Turner's  division  of  the 
Eighteenth,  which  made  an  attempt  on  the  right  of  the  crater, 
but  it  happened  to  be  just  at  the  time  that  the*  colored  troops 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  241 

.broke  up;  so  his  command  was  thrown  into  confusion,  and 
fell  back  to  the  trenches. 

In  this  affair,  the  several  efforts  to  push  fresh  troops 
forward  to  Cemetery  Hill  were  as  futile  in  their  results  as  the 
dropping  of  handfuls  of  sand  into  a  running  stream  to  make 
a  dam.  With  the  notable  exception  of  Gen.  Robert  Potter, 
not  a  division  commander  was  in  the  crater  or  connecting 
lines,  nor  was  there  a  corps  commander  on  the  immediate 
scene  of  action;  the  result  being  that  the  subordinate  com 
manders  attempted  to  carry  out  the  orders  issued  prior  to 
the  commencement  of  the  action,  when  the  very  first  attack 
developed  the  fact  that  a  change  of  those  plans  was  absolutely 
necessary. 

At  twenty  minutes  after  seven  o'clock,  Gen.  Burnside 
telegraphed  to  Gen.  Mtade:  "I  am  doing  all  in  my  power 
to  push  the  troops  forward,  and,  if  possible,  we  will  carry  the 
crest.  It  is  hard  work,  but  we  hope  to  accomplish  it."  Ten 
minutes  later  Gen.  Meade  sent  the  following  written  answer: 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 

7.30  A.  M.,  July  30.  1864. 
Major  Gen.  Burnside: 

What  do  you  mean  by  hard  work  to  take  the  crest?  I  understand 
not  a  man  has  advanced  beyond  the  enemy's  line  which  you  occupied 
immediately  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine.  Do  you  mean  to  say 
your  officers  and  men  will  not  obey  your  orders  to  advance?  If  not, 
what  is  the  obstacle?  I  wish  to  know  the  truth  and  desire  an  immediate 
answer.  .  GEORGE  G.  MEADE,  Major  General. 

General  Burnside  promptly  replied  to  this  as  follows: 

HEADQUARTERS   NINTH   ARMY  CORPS. 

BATTERY  MORTON,  July  30,  1864. 
General  Meade: 

Your  despatch  by  Capt.  Jay  received.  The  main  body  of  Gen. 
Potter's  division  is  beyond  the  crater.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  my 
officers  and  men  will  not  obey  the  order  to  advance.  I  mean  to  say 
that  it  is  very  hard  work  to  advance  to  the  crest.  I  have  never  in  my 
report  said  anything  different  from  what  I  conceived  to  be  the  truth. 
Were  it  not  insubordinate,  I  would  say  that  the  latter  remark  of  your 
note  was  unofficerlike  and  ungentlemanly. 
Respectfully  yours, 

A.  E.  BUKNSIDE,  Major  General. 

16 


242  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

President  Lincoln,  at  Gen.  Burnside's  request,  ordered 
a  court  of  inquiry  "to  examine  and  report  the  facts"  attendant 
upon  the  assault  of  July  3Oth.  'The  action  of  the  Board  of 
Inquiry/'  said  Mr.  Stanton,  "will  be  merely  to  collect  facts 
for  the  President's  information." 

The  court  was  in  session  seventeen  days,  and  delivered 
an  elaborate  finding,  which  completely  exonerated  Gen. 
Burnside. 

Report  of  Committee  on  Conduct  of  the  War: 

The  difficulties  under  which  Col.  Pleasants  labored  in 
executing  his  plan — the  opposition  which  he  met  from  general 
officers,  would  have  deterred  a  less  resolute  man  from  pro 
ceeding.  Had  not  Gen.  Meade  fatally  interfered  at  the  last 
moment,  the  entire  affair  would  have  been  brilliantly  successful. 
The  reader  can  glean  a  fair  idea  of  the  cause  of  the  failure  from 
the  following  abstract  of  a  report,  made  to  Congress,  by  the 
Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,  after  a  full  and  fair 
investigation: 

THE     RESPONSIBILITY    OFFICIALLY    PLACED 

WASHINGTON,  FEB.  6,  1865. 

The  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War  made  a  report 
to-day  on  the  unsuccessful  movement  which  followed  the  explosion 
of  the  mine  before  Petersburg  on  the  3Oth  of  July  last.  It  covers 
fifty  pages  of  foolscap,  and  is  accompanied  by  a  large  quantity  of 
evidence.  It  appears  from  the  report  that  the  idea  of  the  mine 
originated  with  Lieut.  Colonel  Henry  Pleasants,  48th  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  met  the  approval  of  his  superior  officers,  Major-General 
Potter,  commanding  the  Division,  and  Major-General  Burnside,  com 
manding  the  Corps. 

The  Committee  say  that  Lieut.  Colonel  Pleasants  labored 
under  disadvantages  in  the  successful  accomplishment  of  the 
important  work  which  would  have  deterred  a  man  of  less  energy. 
It  was  not  merely  the  evident  lack  of  faith  in  the  success  of  the 
enterprise  shown  by  all  the  officers  of  high  rank,  except  his  Division 
and  Corps  Commanders,  but  that  lack  of  faith  was  accompanied  by 
an  entire  failure  to  furnish  the  assistance  and  implements  necessary 
to  the  success  of  the  undertaking,  within  a  reasonable  time. 

The  testimony  of  Lieut.  Colonel  Pleasants  shows  that  he  had 
to  dig  and  mine  with  only  the  men  of  his  own  regiment,  that  the 
dirt  had  to  be  carried  out  in  cracker  boxes,  slung  between  poles, 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  243 

for  lack  of  wheelbarrows,  and  that  he  was  even  refused  the  use  of  an 
instrument  at  head-quarters  wherewith  to  make  the  necessary 
triangulations,  and  that  General  Burnside  had  to  send  to  Washington 
for  an  old  fashioned  theodolite.  General  Meade  and  Major  Duane, 
Chief  Engineer  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  said  the  thing  could  not 
be  done;  that  it  was  all  clap-trap  and  nonsense;  that  such  a  length 
of  mine  had  never  been  excavated  in  military  operations  and 
conld  not  be. 

Generals  Burnside  and  Potter  were  the  only  high  officers  who 
believed  in  it  under  these  disadvantageous  circumstances.  The  main 
gallery  was  dug  five  hundred  and  ten  feet  in  length.  The  left  lateral 
gallery  was  thirty-seven  feet  in  length,  and  the  right  lateral  gallery 
was  thirty-eight  feet  in  length.  The  magazines  were  placed  in 
the  lateral  galleries.  The  average  size  of  the  gallery  was  four  and 
a  half  feet  high  and  wide.  After  reviewing  the  different  orders 
for  the  movement,  and  narrating  the  final  failure  with  the  loss  of 
between  four  and  five  thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  the 
disaster  is  thus  summed  up: 

Your  Committee  cannot,  from  all  the  testimony,  avoid  the 
conclusion  that  the  first  and  great  cause  of  the  disaster  was  the 
change  made  on  the  afternoon  preceding  the  attack,  in  the  arrange 
ment  of  General  Burnside  to  place  the  division  of  colored  troops 
in  the  advance;  the  reason  assigned  by  General  Burnside  for  not 
taking  one  of  the  divisions  of  white  troops  for  that  purpose  was 
fully  justified  by  the  result  of  the  attack. 

Their  previous  arduous  labors  and  peculiar  position,  exposed 
continually  to  the  enemy's  fire,  had,  as  it  were,  trained  them  in  the 
habit  of  seeking  shelter,  and  true  to  that  training,  they  sought  shelter 
the  first  opportunity  that  presented  itself  after  leaving  our  lines; 
and  it  is  but  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  immediate  commander 
of  a  Corps  is  better  acquainted  with  the  condition  and  efficiency  of 
particular  divisions  of  his  Corps  than  a  General  further  remote 
from  them. 

The  conduct  of  the  colored  troops,  when  they  were  put  into 
action,  would  seem  to  fully  justify  the  confidence  that  General 
Burnside  reposed  in  them;  and  General  Grant,  himself,  in  his  testi 
mony,  expresses  his  belief  that  if  they  had  been  placed  in  advance, 
as  General  Burnside  desired,  the  assault  would  have  been  successful, 
although  at  the  time  the  colored  troops  were  ordered  in,  the  white 
troops  already  in  were  in  confusion,  and  failed  in  the  assault  upon 
the  crest  beyond  the  crater,  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy  had  become 
exceedingly  destructive. 

The  colored  troops  advanced  in  good  order,  passed  through 
the  enemy's  lines  and  beyond  our  disorganized  troops  there,  and 
stopping  but  a  short  time  to  reform  made  the  charge  as  directed. 
But  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  too  strong,  and  some  other  of  our 


244  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

troops  hurrying  back  through  their  lines,  they  were  thrown  into 
confusion  and  forced  to  retire.  The  Committee  disapprove  of 
General  Burnside  deciding  by  lot  whether  the  Division  of  Potter,  of 
Wilcox  or  of  Ledlie  should  lead  the  assault,  but  there  was  but  little 
time  for  selection  after  General  Meade  had  changed  the  progamme. 
General  Burnside  testified  that :  "Each  of  the  Division  Commanders 
as  well  as  every  officer  in  the  command  who  had  given  his  attention  to 
the  subject  in  the  least  degree,  was  fully  aware  of  the  condition  of  the 
white  troops,  as  I  had  previously  stated  it  to  General  Meade,  and  were 
fully  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  the  colored  troops  were  in 
much  better  condition  to  lead  the  attack,  and  of  the  wisdom  of  using 
the  white  troops  as  support.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost,  however, 
and  I  decided  that  I  would  allow  the  leading  division  to  be  decided  by 
lot."  The  committee  dwell  on  the  fact  that  the  order  of  attack  as 
proposed  by  General  Burnside  was  also  changed  by  direction  of  General 
Meade,  with  the  approval  of  General  Grant.  They  also  show  by  the 
testimony,  that  when  the  order  to  withdraw  was  given  by  General 
Meade  against  the  representation  made  by  General  Burnside,  orders 
were  also  issued  by  General  Meade  for  offensive  operations  to  cease  on 
the  right  and  left  of  General  Burnside's  position,  and  General  Ord's 
troops  were  at  the  same  time  withdrawn  from  the  position  where 
they  had  been  placed  in  support  of  the  Qth  Corps ;  the  enemy  were  thus 
left  entirely  free  to  make  such  dispositions  as  they  chose  against 
General  Burnside's  force  within  their  lines. 

The  committee  also  call  attention  to  the  fact,  that  General  Grant 
attributes  the  disastrous  result  of  the  assault,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent, 
to  the  troops  having  been  sent  in  unaccompanied  by  the  division  com 
manders.  How  far  the  division  commanders  would  have  been  able 
by  their  presence  to  have  overcome  the  confusion  and  disorganization 
into  which  the  troops  were  thrown  from  the  causes  heretofore  referred 
to,  the  committee  are  unable  to  say,  but  they  refer  to  it  as  the  opinion 
of  the  highest  officer  in  the  service.  The  committee  also  positively 
disclaim  any  desire  to  censure  the  conduct  of  the  white  troops  engaged, 
although  they  confidently  think  that  the  original  selection  of  the  colored 
troops  was  the  best  that  could  have*  been  made.  In  conclusion,  the 
committee  say,  that,  in  their  opinion,  the  cause  of  the  disastrous  result 
of  the  assault  of  the  3Oth  of  July  last,  is  mainly  attributable  to  the  fact 
that  the  plans  and  suggestions  of  the  General  who  had  devoted  his 
attention  for  so  long  a  time  to  the  subject,  who  had  carried  to  a 
successful  completion  the  project  of  mining  the  enemy's  works,  and  who 
had  carefully  selected  and  drilled  his  troops  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
whatever  advantage  might  be  attainable  from  the  explosion  of  the  mine, 
were  entirely  disregarded  by  a  General  who  had  evinced  no  faith  in  the 
successful  prosecution  of  that  work,  had  aided  it  by  no  countenance 
or  open  approval,  and  had  assumed  the  entire  direction  and  control  only 
when  it  was  completed  and  the  time  had  come  for  reaping  any  advantage 
that  might  be  derived  from  it. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  245 

This  somewhat  extended  account  of  the  crater  and  the 
assault  is  prompted  because  of  the  great  opportunity  it  af 
forded  for  the  closing  of  the  war,  right  then  and  there.  The 
great  care  manifested  by  Col.  Pleasants,  who  planned  the 
mine,  and  the  interest  taken  by  expert  miners,  such  as  Capt. 
Winlack,  of  Company  E;  Lieut.  John  Watkin,  Company  B; 
John  Watson,  of  Company  E;  and  Sergeant  Harry  Reese,  of 
Company  F;  and  the  sufferings  of  the  men  of  the  regiment 
who  carried  out  their  orders,  and  underwent  all  the  hardships 
attending  the  driving  of  the  mine  and  carrying  out  the  dirt, 
exposed  to  all  the  dangers  of  mining,  bad  air,  insufficient 
timber  for  safety,  and  the  hard  labor  attending  it  all,  merited 
a  more  successful  conclusion  of  this  unparalleled  military 
mining  operation.  During  the  prosecution  of  the  work, 
every  man  was  a  general,  and  planned  just  how  the  assault 
must  be  made  to  be  successful,  and  all  were  intensely  dis 
gusted  with  the  result.* 

A    CONFEDERATE    DESCRIPTION 

In  Gordon  McCabe's  "Defense  of  Petersburg,"  a  lecture 
delivered  to  the  Confederates  at  Petersburg,  he  makes  the 
statement  that  the  loss  of  life  at  the  explosion  of  the  mine 
were  256  officers  and  men  of  the  i8th  and  22d  South  Carolina 
Regiments,  and  two  officers  and  twenty  men  of  Pegram's 
Petersburg  Battery.  This  battery  was  commanded  by  Capt. 
Richard  G.  Pegram,  who  was  absent  on  duty,  and  thus  escaped 
what  befell  his  two  lieutenants,  Hamlin  and  Chandler.  Dr. 
Tolan,  surgeon  of  the  Confederate  brigade,  says  the  22d  South 
Carolina  had  lost  its  gallant  colonel,  Fleming,  and  many  brave 
soldiers.  The  regiment,  he  says,  lost  163  men;  two  whole 
companies,  A  and  C  of  the  i8th  South  Carolina,  had  not  a 
man  left  who  was  on  duty  to  tell  the  tale.  "One  hundred  and 

*In  the  court  of  inquiry  held  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Second 
Corps,  August  10,  1864,  relative  to  the  assault  on  Petersburg,  Gen. 
Burnside  testified  that  Col.  Pleasants,  in  the  course  of  conversation, 
remarked  that  the  first  idea  of  running  a  mine  under  the  rebel  fort  was 
suggested  by  the  men  of  his  regiment. — Official  War  Records. 

General  Potter  before  the  same  court  of  inquiry  speaks  of  the  48th 
as  being  excused  from  active  participation  in  the  assault,  and  acting  as 
a  sort  of  a  provost  guard. — Official  War  Records. 


246  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

one  of  my  men,"  he  says,  "including  Capts.  McCormick  and 
Birdgis,  were  dead — buried  in  the  crater  or  scattered  along 
the  works — and  sixty-two  missing." 

This  same  Dr.  Tolan  locates  the  i8th  South  Carolina  on 
the  left  or  north  side  of  Pegram's  battery,  and  the  22d  South 
Carolina  as  on  the  right  or  south  side  of  the  battery. 

At  the  celebration  of  Lee-Jackson  Day,  at  Staunton, 
Va.,  held  on  the  22nd  of  January,  1906,  Captain  John  C 
Featherstone,  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  who  was  a  Captain  in  the 
Alabama  Brigade,  that  fought  at  the  crater,  gives  a  very 
graphic  account  of  the  fight: 

THE  SCENE  AS  WITNESSED  BY  A  CONFEDERATE  CAPTAIN 

"That  those  of  this  audience  who  were  not  participants 
in  the  Civil  War  may  better  understand  the  situation  at  that 
time,  it  may  not  be  amiss  for  one  to  describe  the  location  of 
the  hostile  armies  immediately  preceding  and  at  the  time 
of  this  hand  to  hand  fought  battle  of  July  3Oth,  1864.  General 
Lee  with  about  60,000  men,  poorly  fed  but  courageous,  was 
confronting  General  Grant  with  150,000  men  supplied  with 
all  the  necessaries  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  camp  in  front 
of  Richmond  and  Petersburg.  Both  armies  were  entrenched 
in  fortifications  extending  about  200  miles  in  length  and 
varying  in  distance  apart  from  half  a  mile  to  eighty  yards. 

"The  nearest  approach  to  each  other  was  immediately 
in  front  of  and  one  mile  distant  from  the  city  of  Petersburg. 
After  repeated  assaults,  made  on  the  attenuated  lines  of  Lee 
by  Grant,  all  of  which  resulted  in  disastrous  failures,  the 
Federals  conceived  the  idea  of  tunneling  under,  and  blowing 
up  one  of  the  Confederate  forts,  then  known  as  'Elliott's 
Salient/  but  subsequently  called  the  'Crater,'  because  of  its 
resemblance  to  the  crater  of  a  volcano,  and,  during  the  battle, 
like  one  in  active  operation. 

"This  fort  was  located  in  the  main  line  of  the  Confed 
erates,  which  was  eighty  yards  from  the  main  line  of  the 
Federals.  They  commenced  digging  a  tunnel  or  gulley  just 
in  rear  of  their  breastworks,  dumping  the  dirt  in  a  deep 
ravine  in  their  rear. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  247 

'This  operation  could  not  be  seen  from  our  works; 
hence,  the  presumption  is,  that  though  General  Lee  knew  the 
enemy  were  attempting  to  undermine  his  line,  he  could  not 
determine  the  exact  point  of  attack. 

"He,  therefore,  ordered  his  engineers  to  sink  counter 
mines  in  front  of  several  of  his  forts,  so  that  he  might  inter 
cept  them,  but  his  engineers  sank  their  shafts  only  fifteen 
feet  deep,  while  the  enemy's  were  thirty  feet  deep.  In  order 
that  this  'new  plan  of  war'  might  be  carried  into  execution, 
General  Burnside,  who  commanded  a  Yankee  corps,  the  9th, 
immediately  in  front  of  the  Crater,  ordered  Colonel 
Pleasants,  who  commanded  the  48th  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
which  was  composed  principally  of  miners,  to  dig  this 
tunnel,  extending  from  their  lines  to  and  under  our  fort. 
This  occupied  several  weeks,  during  which  time  an  incessant 
fire  was  kept  up  that  they  might  shield  their  works  from  the 
observation  of  the  Confederate  soldiers. 

"When  they  had  completed  their  task,  Lieut.  Colonel 
Pleasants,  of  the  48th  Penna.  Regiment,  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  mining  operations,  in  his  report  says :  'The  charge  of 
powder  placed  under  the  Confederate  fort  consisted  of  320 
kegs,  each  containing  twenty-five  pounds,  aggregating 
about  eight  thousand  pounds.' ''' 

"He  further  says:  'I  stood  upon  the  top  of  the  breast- 
works  and  witnessed  the  effect  of  the  explosion.'  " 

"It  was  a  magnificent  spectacle,  as  the  mass  of  earth 
went  up  into  the  air,  carrying  with  it  men,  guns,  carriages 
and  timbers,  and  spread  out  like  an  immense  cloud  as  it 
reached  its  altitude.  Another  Federal  officer  says:  'Just 
about  sunrise  a  trembling  of  the  earth  was  felt  and  a  dull 
roar  was  heard.  I  looked  to  the  front  and  saw  a  huge 
column  of  dirt,  dust  and  smoke  and  flame  of  fire  apparently 
two  hundred  feet  high,  which,  on  reaching  .its  highest  point, 
curled  over  like  a  plume,  then  came  down  with  a  dull  thud. 
While  in  the  air,  I  could  see  in  the  column  of  fire  and  smoke 
the  bodies  of  men,  arms  and  legs,  pieces  of  timber  and  a 
gun  carriage.  I  felt  very  weak  and  pale  and  the  faces  of 
comrades  never  looked  paler,  while  our  troops  in  front  broke 


248  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

back  and  became  intermingled.  They  were  soon  rallied  and 
moved  forward.  In  the  meantime  our  forts  all  along  the 
line  opened  out  with  every  gun  and  they  were  immediately 
answered  by  the  Confederates.  The  solid  shot  and  shell 
howled  and  shrieked  over  our  heads  and  ricocheted  along 
the  ground.  The  air  seemed  to  be  full  of  flying  missiles.'  " 

"At  the  time  of  the  explosion,  about  five  o'clock  a.  m.f 
the  fort  was  occupied  by  Captain  Pegram's  battery  of 
artillery,  with  four  cannon  supported  by  the  i8th  and 
22nd  South  Carolina  Regiments.  The  loss  of  life  caused  by 
the  explosion  of  the  mine  was  256  officers  and  men  of  the 
South  Carolina  Regiments  and  two  officers  and  twenty  men 
of  the  artillery.  Two  entire  companies  of  the  i8th  South 
Carolina  Regiment  had  not  a  man  left  to  tell  the  tale.  The 
Confederate  troops  on  each  side  of  the  wrecked  fort  shrank 
back  from  this  awful  explosion,  leaving  about  two  hundred 
yards  of  our  works  unoccupied.  The  Federals,  anticipating 
the  destructive  and  demoralizing  effect  of  such  a  surprise, 
concentrated  a  force  estimated  at  45,000  men  near  by  and  in 
rear  of  their  works,  with  which  they  expected  to  rush 
through  the  opening  thus  made  and  capture  Petersburg  and 
cut  in  twain  General  Lee's  army.  They  then  rushed  into 
the  crater  and  adjacent  breastworks,  twelve  thousand  of 
their  infantry,  one  division  of  which  was  composed  of 
negroes,  but,  strange  to  relate,  these  they  hated,  which 
proved  fatal  to  their  enterprise.  There  was  not  an  organized 
body  of  Confederate  infantry  between  General  Grant's  main 
line  of  battle  and  the  City  of  Petersburg.  They  would  have 
had  only  unsupported  artillery  to  oppose  their  advance.  But 
artillery  was  probably  never  more  effectually  used  than 
on  that  occasion. 

"This  delay  gave  General  Lee  time  to  prepare  to  meet 
this  emergency.  Anderson's  division  of  A.  P.  Hill's  corps 
was  at  that  time  commanded  by  General  Wm.  Mahone,  and 
was  the  supporting  division  of  Lee's  army  while  in  front  of 
Petersburg.  It  was  in  the  breastworks  about  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  to  the  right  of  the  Crater,  at  a  point  known  as 
the  Wilcox  farm. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  249 

"As  soon  as  General  Lee  took  in  the  critical  condition 
of  affairs,  he  dispatched  one  of  his  staff  to  General  Mahone 
to  send  at  once  two  of  his  brigades  to  the  point  of  attack. 
Mahone  withdrew  the  Virginia  brigade,  commanded  by 
General  Weiseger,  and  the  Georgia  brigade,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Hall.  These  two,  being  on  the  right  of  the  division, 
were  most  accessible  and  moved  by  a  circuitous  route  to 
the  scene  of  action.  To  have  gone  direct  would  have 
exposed  his  command  to  the  fire  of  the  entire  line  of  the 
enemy,  which  would  have  meant  destruction. 

"When  General  Mahone  arrived  at  a  point  in  front  of  the 
Crater  and  was  preparing  to  make  his  assault,  General  Lee 
appeared  on  the  field  mounted  on  "Traveller,"  his  \var- 
horse,  that,  by  his  courage,  seemed  to  be  conscious  of  the 
fact  that  he  bore  on  his  back  the  fate  of  the  nation. 
MAHONE'S  VIRGINIANS 

"Soon  the  Virginia  brigade  was  in  line  of  battle,  fronting 
our  captured  breastworks  on  the  left  of  the  Crater,  then 
filled  with  Yankee  soldiers.  The  Georgia  brigade  was  filing 
out  of  the  covered  way  preparing  to  extend  the  line  so  as  to 
cover  the  Crater  and  the  works  on  the  right,  but  the 
Virginians  seeing  that  the  Yankees  were  preparing  to 
•emerge  from  the  works  and  charge  them,  anticipated  their 
charge  and  at  once  gave  the  order  to  forward,  and  made  a 
most  gallant  and  determined  dash  for  the  enemy,  going  into 
the  works,  and  there  engaged  in  a  hand  to  hand  struggle, 
finally  recapturing  that  portion  of  our  line.  The  gallant 
Georgia  brigade  was  soon  in  position  and  made  a  determined 
charge  on  the  Crater  and  the  remainder  of  the  works.  The 
fire  of  the  enemy  was  so  terrific  and  deadly  that  they 
swerved  too  far  to  the  left,  rushing  in  with  and  near  the 
Virginia  brigade,  after  losing  nearly  or  quite  all  of  their 
field  officers  and  very  many  of  their  men.  This  all  occurred 
by  and  before  9.30  o'clock  a.  m. 

"Those  two  brigades  had  made  superb  charges,  losing 
very  heavily  of  their  men,  and  literally  covered  the  ground 
and  partly  filled  the  trenches  with  the  enemy's  dead  and 
wounded. 


250  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

"The  crater  and  the  works  to  the  right  o'f  it  were  still 
occupied  by  the  enemy. 

"General  Mahone  sent  back  and  ordered  up  Wilcox's 
(old)  Alabama  brigade,  then  commanded  by  General  J.  C.  C. 
Saunders. 

"That  you  may  have  some  idea  of  the  attenuated  line  of 
General  Lee  at  this  time,  I  will  state  that  when  this 
brigade  was  withdrawn  from  the  breastworks  at  the  Wilcox 
farm  to  be  sent  to  do  battle  at  the  Crater,  the  entire  space 
formerly  occupied  by  these  three  brigades  was  left  without 
soldiers,  except  a  skirmish  line  consisting  of  one  man  every 
twenty  paces. 

"The  Alabama  brigade  soon  appeared  on  the  scene.  (I 
had  the  honor  to  command  a  company  in  the  brigade.) 

"As  soon  as  we  emerged  from  the  covered  way  into  a 
ravine  or  swale  running  parallel  with  the  works  held  by  the 
enemy,  we  there  met  General  Mahone  himself  on  foot.  He 
called  the  officers  to  him,  explained  the  situation  and  gave 
us  orders  for  the  fight.  , 

"He  stated  that  the  Virginians  and  Georgians  had  by  a 
gallant  charge  captured  the  breastworks  on  their  left  of 
the  Crater,  but  the  enemy  still  held  the  fort  and  a  short 
space  of  the  works  to  the  right  of  it. 

"He  ordered  us  to  move  our  men  up  the  ravine  as  far  as 
we  could  walk  unseen  and  then  crawl  still  farther,  until 
we  reached  a  point  as  near  opposite  the  fort  as  possible, 
then  order  our  men  to  lie  down  on  the  ground  until  the 
artillery  posted  in  our  rear  could  draw  the  enemy's  fire 
from  a  part  of  their  artillery,  said  to  contain  fifty  pieces, 
posted  on  a  hill  in  rear  of  their  main  line  and  covering  the 
fort.  When  this  was  accomplished  we  should  rise  up  and 
move  at  a  'trail  arms/  with  guns  loaded  and  bayonets  fixed, 
but  not  fire  a  gun  nor  yell  until  we  drew  the  fire  from  the 
fort.  Then  yell  and  make  a  dash  for  the  fort  before  the 
enemy  could  open  on  us  their  fifty  pieces  of  artillery. 

"As  we  were  withdrawing  from  the  presence  of  the 
General,  he  said,  'General  Lee  is  watching  the  result  of 
your  charge.' 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  251 

"We  then  returned  to  our  men  and  ordered  them  to 
load'  and  'fix'  bayonets. 

"We  then  moved  up  the  ravine  as  ordered.  As  we  were 
starting  a  soldier,  worse  disfigured  by  dirt,  powder  and 
smoke  than  any  I  had  before  seen,  came  by  my  side  and 
said :  "Captain,  can  I  go  in  this  charge  with  you?"  I  replied, 

"Yes;  who  are  you?"  He  said,  "I  am  (I  have 

forgotten  his  name)  and  I  belong  to South  Carolina 

regiment.  I  was  .blown  up  in  that  fort,  and  I  want  to  get 
even  with  them.  Take  my  name  and  regiment  and,  if  I  get 
killed,  inform  my  officer  of  it."  I  said,  "I  have  not  time  for 
writing.  How  high  up  did  they  blow  you?"  He  said,  "I 
don't  know,  but  as  I  was  going  up  I  met  the  company 
cook  coming  down.  He  said  he  would  try  to  have  breakfast 
ready  by  the  time  I  got  back." 

"According  to  the  morning  report  of  Captain  Clark, 
A.  A.  General,  this  brigade  carried  into  battle  628  men, 
practically  the  same  as  the  Light  Brigade  which  Tennyson 
immortalized. 

"Our  guns  in  the  rear  soon  ceased  firing  over  us.  We 
then  knew  the  crisis  had  come. 

"LEE'S  LAST  CARD" 

"The  Crater  was  200  yards  distant  from  where  we  lay 
down.  By  slightly  raising  our  heads  we  could  see  the  fort 
and  the  many  flags  of  the  enemy,  which  indicated  their 
numbers.  We  knew  the  odds  were  greatly  against  us,  but 
'it  was  not  ours  to  ask  the  reason  why,  only  ours  to  do  and 
die/  We  knew  that  we  were  General  Lee's  last  card  that 
he  was  playing  on  the  checkerboard  of  war,  as  we  were  the 
last  reserves. 

"Our  General  gave  the  command,  'Forward,'  and  on 
we  went.  Soon  we1  saw  the  flash  of  the  sunlight  on  the 
enemy's  guns  and  bayonets  as  they  leveled  them  over  the 
walls  of  the  fort.  Then  a  sheet  of  flame  flashed  out  as  they 
fired.  Then  followed  the  awful  roar  of  battle.  This  volley 
seemed  to  awaken  the  demons  of  hell.  It  seemed  to  be  the 
signal  for  everybody  within  range  to  commence  firing.  We 


252  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

raised  a  yell  and  made  a  dash  to  get  under  the  walls  of  the 
fort  before  their  artillery  could  open  on  us,  but  in  this  we 
failed.  They,  too,  joined  in  the  awful  din,  and  the  air  seemed 
filled  with  missiles.  But  on  the  600  Alabamians  went,  as  it 
seemed  literally  into  the  'jaws  of  death,  into  the  mouth 
of  hell.' 

"As  we  reached  the  walls  of  the  wrecked  fort  we  dropped 
on  the  ground  to  get  the  men  in  order  and  let  them  breathe. 
As  soon  as  this  was  accomplished,  we  pushed  up  hats  on 
bayonets,  and,  as  we  expected,  they  riddled  them  with 
bullets,  and  immediately  our  men  sprang  over  the  walls 
and  were  in  the  fort.  Then  commenced  that  awful  hand  to 
hand  struggle  that  history  tells  you  about. 

"Whites  and  negroes  were  indiscriminately  mixed,  and  it 
was  the  first  time  that  our  troops  had  encountered  the 
negroes,  and  they  could  only  with  difficulty  be  restrained. 

"The  work  was  soon  finished.  The  fort  was  blown  into 
two  compartments ;  those  in  the  smaller  one  cried  out  that 
they  would  surrender. 

SURRENDER    OF   SURVIVORS 

"We  told  them  to  come  over  the  embankment.  Two  of 
them  started  over  with  their  guns  in  their  hands,  and  were 
shot  and  fell  back.  We  heard  those  remaining  cry,  "They 
are  showing  us  no  quarter ;  let  us  sell  our  lives  as  dearly  as 
possible."  We  then  told  them  to  come  over  without  their 
guns,  which  they  did,  and  all  the  remainder,  about  thirty  in 
number,  surrendered  and  were  ordered  to  the  rear.  In  the 
confusion  and  their  eagerness  to  get  beyond  that  point,  they 
went  across  an  open  field,  along  the  same  route  over  which 
we  charged  them.  Their  artillery,  seeing  them  going  to  the 
rear,  as  we  were  told,  under  the  flag  of  truce,  thought  it 
was  our  men  repulsed  and  retreating,  and  they  at  once 
opened  fire  on  them,  killing  and  wounding  quite  a  number 
of  their  own  men.  One  poor  fellow  had  his  arm  shot  off 
just  as  he  started  to  the  rear,  and  returning  said,  T  could 
bear  it  better  if  my  own  comrades  had  not  done  it.' 

"This  practically  ended  the  fight  inside  the  fort,  but  the 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  253 

two  armies  outside  continued  firing  at  this  common  centre 
and  it  seemed  to  us  that  the  shot,  shell  and  musket  balls 
came  from  every  point  of  the  compass  and  the  mortar  shells 
rained  down  from  above.  They  had  previously  attacked 
us  from  below.  So  this  unfortunate  fort  was  one  of  the  few 
points  of  the  universe  which  had  been  assailed  from 
literally  every  quarter. 

"The  slaughter  was  fearful.  The  dead  were  piled  on  each 
other.  In  one  part  of  the  fort  I  counted  eight  bodies  deep. 
There  were  but  few  wounded  compared  with  the  killed. 

"There  was  an  incident  which  occurred  in  the  captured 
fort  that  made  quite  an  impression  on  me.  Among  the 
wounded  was  the  Yankee  General  Bartlett.  He  was  lying 
down  and  could  not  rise.  Assistance  wras  offered  him,  but 
he  informed  those  who  were  assisting  him  that  his  leg  was 
broken,  and  so  it  was,  but  it  proved  to  be  an  artificial  leg, 
made  of  cork. 

"One  of  our  officers  ordered  a  couple  of  negroes  to  move 
him,  but  he  protested,  and  I  believe  he  was  given  white 
assistance. 

"This  General  afterwards,  so  I  have  been  informed, 
became  an  honored  citizen  of  Virginia,  though  at  that  time, 
I  must  say,  I  never  would  have  believed  such  a  thing 
possible.  One  of  our  soldiers,  seeing  the  cork  leg  and  springs 
knocked  to  pieces,  waggishly  said,  "General,  you  are  a 
fraud;  I  thought  that  was  a  good  leg  when  I  shot  it." 

"As  the  dust  and  smoke  cleared  away  the  firing  seemed 
to  lull,  but  there  was  no  entire  cessation  of  firing  that 
evening.  Indeed  it  was  continued  for  months  by  the  sharp 
shooters. 

"After  dark  tools  were  brought,  with  which  we 
reconstructed  the  wrecked  fort.  In  doing  this,  we  buried  the 
dead  down  in  the  fort  by  covering  them  with  the  earth. 
The  fire  of  the  enemy  was  entirely  too  severe  to  carry  them 
out.  We  were  therefore  forced  to  stand  on  them  and 
defend  our  position  while  we  remained  in  the  fort,  which 
was  until  the  following  Monday  night. 

"As  we  went  over  the  embankment  into  the  fort,  one  of 


254  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

my  sergeants,  Andrew  McWilliams,  a  brave  fellow,  was 
shot  in  the  mouth;  the  ball  did  not  cut  his  lips.  It  came 
out  of  the  top  of  his  head.  He  was  evidently  yelling  with 
his  mouth  open.  He  fell  on  top  of  the  embankment  with  his 
head  hanging  in  the  fort.  We  pulled  him  down  in  the  fort, 
and  that  night  carried  him  out  and  buried  him.  During 
the  night  we  strengthened  the  wrecked  fort,  and,  in  doing 
so,  unearthed  numbers  of  Confederate  soldiers  who  were 
killed  and  buried  by  the  explosion.  I  remember  in  one  place 
there  were  eight  poor  fellows  lying  side  by  side  with  their 
coats  under  their  heads.  They  seemed  never  to  have  moved 
after  the  explosion. 

"The  recapture  of  the  fort  restored  our  lines  in 
statu  quo. 

"That  night  we  slept  in  the  fort,  over  those  who  slept 
'the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,'  and  with  the  living  who 
slept  the  sleep  caused  by  exhaustion.  The  morning  came, 
was  clear,  and  the  day  was  hot  and  dry  as  the  preceding  one. 
The  sharpshooters  were  exceedingly  alert,  firing  every 
moment,  each  side  momentarily  expecting  active  hostilities 
to  be  renewed.  While  the  wounded  in  the  fort  and  our 
trenches  had  been  removed  during  the  night  and  were 
being  cared  for,  the  ground  between  the  main  lines  of  the 
two  armies  was  literally  covered  by  wounded  and  dead 
Federals,  who  fell  advancing  and  retreating.  We  could  hear 
them  crying  for  relief,  but  the  firing  was  so  severe  that  none 
dared  go  to  them  either  by  day  or  night. 

"About  noon  or  a  little  after,  there  went  up  a  flag  of 
truce  immediately  in  our  front.  The  flag  was  a  white  piece 
of  cloth  about  a  yard  square  on  a  new  staff.  General 
Saunders  ordered  the  sharpshooters  to  cease  firing.  Then 
a  Yankee  soldier  with  a  clean  white  shirt  and  blue  pants 
jumped  on  top  of  their  works  holding  the  flag  and  was 
promptly  followed  by  two  elegantly  uniformed  officers. 
General  Saunders  asked  of  those  near  him  if  we  had  a 
white  handkerchief.  All  replied,  'No.'  A  private  soldier 
near  by  said  to  the  men  around  him,  'Boys,  some  of  you 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  255 

take  off  your  shirt  and  hand  it  to  the  General,'  to  which 
another  replied,  'Never  do  that ;  they  will  think  we  have 
raised  the  black  flag.' 

FLAGS  OF  TRUCE 

"The  General  finally  got  a  handkerchief,  which,  though 
not  altogether  fit  for  the  drawing  room,  he  and  Captain 
George  Clark,  A.  A.  General,  tied  to  the  ramrod  of  a  musket, 
and  Captain  Clark,  with  one  man  carrying  the  improvised 
flag,  went  forward  to  meet  the  Yanicee  flag.  (I  have 
frequently  thought  that  the  'get  up'  of  these  flags  of  truce 
illustrated  the  condition  of  the  armies.)  They  met  half  way 
— about  forty  yards  from  each  line.  After  a  few  minutes' 
interview  they  handed  to  Captain  Clark  a  paper.  Then  they 
withdrew  to  their  respective  sides.  In  handing  the 
communication  to  General  Saunders,  Captain  Clark  said: 
They  are  asking  for  a  truce  to  bury  their  dead  and 
remove  their  wounded/  The  communication  was  forwarded 
to  the  proper  authorities  and  proved  to  be  from  General 
Burnside,  who  commanded  the  Federal  troops  in  front,  but 
not  being  in  accordance  with  the  usages  and  civilities  of 
war,  it  was  promptly  returned  with  information  that  when 
ever  a  like  request  came  from  the  General  commanding  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  to  the  General  commanding  the  army 
of  Northern  Virginia  it  would  be  entertained.  Within  a 
few  hours  the  Federals  sent  another  flag  of  truce,  conveying 
a  communication,  which  was  properly  addressed,  and  the 
terms  of  the  truce  were  agreed  on.  These  terms  were  that 
they  could  remove  their  wounded  and  could  bury  their  dead 
in  a  ditch  half  way  between  the  two  lines.  They  brought 
in  their  details,  including  many  negroes,  and  the  work  was 
commenced  and  was  continued  for  about  four  hours.  In 
that  ditch,  about  one  hundred  feet  in  length,  were  buried 
seven  hundred  white  and  negro  soldiers.  The  dead  were 
thrown  in  indiscriminately,  three  bodies  deep. 

ENEMIES  FRATERNIZE 

"As  soon  as  the  work  was  commenced,  I  witnessed  one 
of  the  grandest  sights  I  ever  saw.  Where  not  a  man  could 
be  seen  a  few  minutes  before,  the  two  armies  rose  up  out  of 


256  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

the  ground,  and  the  face  of  the  earth  seemed  to  be  covered 
with  men.  It  seemed  an  illustration  of  Cadmus  sowing  the 
dragon's  teeth.  Both  sides  came  over  their  works,  meeting' 
and  chatting,  and  exchanged  courtesies  as  though  they  had 
not  sought  in  desperate  effort  to  take  each  others  lives' 
but  an  hour  before. 

"During  the  truce  I  met  General  Robert  B.  Potter,  who 
commanded,  as  he  informed  me,  a  Michigan  division  in 
Burnside's  corps.  He  was  exceedingly  polite  and  affable, 
and  extended  to  me  his  canteen  with  an  invitation  to  sample 
its  contents,  which  I  did,  and  found  it  nothing  objectionable. 
He  then  handed  me  a  good  cigar,  and  for  a  time  we  smoked 
the  'pipe  of  peace.'  In  reply  to  a  question  from  me  as  to 
their  loss  in  the  battle  of  Saturday,  he  replied  that  they  had 
lost  five  thousand  men.  While  we  were  talking  a  remarkably 
handsome  Yankee  General  in  the  crowd  came  near  us.  I 
asked  General  Potter  who  he  was,  and  was  informed  that 
he  was  General  Fererro,  who  commanded  the  negro  troops. 
I  said,  'I  have  some  of  his  papers  which  I  captured  in  the 
fort/  and  showed  them  to  General  Potter.  He  then  sai<4, 
'Let  me  call  him  up  and  introduce  him,  and  we  will  show 
him  the  papers  and  guy  him.'  I  replied,  however,  that  we 
down  South  were  not  in  the  habit  of  recognizing  as  our 
social  equals  those  who  associated  with  negroes.  He  then 
asked  me  to  give  him  some  of  Fererro's  papers.  He  wanted 
them  for  a  purpose.  I  did  so.  The  others  I  kept,  and  they 
are  now  lying  before  me  as  I  write. 

"He  also  asked  me  to  point  out  to  him  some  of  our 
Generals,  several  of  whom  were  then  standing  on  the 
embankment  of  the  wrecked  fort.  (I  noticed  that  none  of 
our  Generals  except  Saunders,  who  had  charge  of  affairs, 
came  over  to  mingle  with  the  crowd.)  I  pointed  out  to 
him  General  Harris,  of  Mississippi ;  A.  P.  Hill  and  finally 
pointed  out  General  Mahone,  who  was  dressed  in  a  suit 
made  of  tent  cloth,  with  a  round-about  jacket.  Be  it 
remembered  that  General  Mahone  was  quite  small  and  did 
not  weigh  much,  if  any,  over  one  hunderd  pounds.  Potter 
laughingly  said :  'Not  much  man,  but  a  big  General/ 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  257 

"When  the  dead  were  buried,  each  side  returned  to  their 
entrenchments,  and  soon  the  sharpshooters  were  firing  at 
each  other  when  and  wherever  seen.  Truly,  'War  is  hell.' 

"Saunders'  Alabama  brigade  continued  to  occupy  the 
'Crater/  which  they  had  captured  on  Saturday  about  two 
o'clock,  until  Monday  night,  August  ist,  when  under  cover 
of  darkness  we  were  relieved  by  another  brigade,  as  was 
also  the  gallant  Virginia  brigade,  which  had,  by  a  superb 
charge,  captured  the  entrenchments  on  the  left  of  the 
'Crater.'" 

Although  this  address  was  delivered  a  long  while  after 
the  event  happened,  over  forty  years,  it  tells  some  important 
historical  facts,  which  I  think  have  never  been  set  forth 
either  by  participants  on  our  side  or  that  of  the  Confed 
erates.  The  fact  is,  that  the  rebel  lines  were  denuded  almost 
of  men  on  their  right  at  Wilcox's  farm  by  the  withdrawal  of 
Mahone's  division  to  resist  our  forces  at  the  Crater,  and 
that  General  Lee  himself  superintended  the  movements  of 
these,  goes  to  prove  very  clearly  that  our  mine  explosion 
caused  deep  consternation  and  alarm  within  the  enemy's 
lines  that  morning,  and  had  our  Generals,  who  were  supposed 
to  be  in  command  of  our  troops,  shown  as  much  interest  and 
energy  in  the  attack  as  the  enemy  showed  in  the  defense, 
there  would  have  been  a  glorious  victory,  and  the  war  would 
have  in  all  probability  ended  a  year  sooner  than  it  did. 

GENERAL  ALEXANDER'S  NARRATIVE  OF  THE  MINE  TRAGEDY 

Extracts  from  an  article  in  Scribncr's,  of  February,  1907, 
contributed  by  General  E.  P.  Alexander,  commander  of  a 
Division  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia: 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

It  was  under  these  circumstances  that  Grant  made  his  first  move 
after  the  week  of  indecision  which  followed  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor. 
The  most  natural  movement,  and  the  one  which  Lee  expected,  was 
that  he  would  merely  cross  the  Chickahominy  and  take  position  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  James  at  Malvern  Hill,  adjoining  Butler  on  the  south 
bank  at  Bermuda  Hundreds.  This  would  unite  the  two  armies  at  the 
nearest  point  to  Richmond,  and  they  would  have  the  aid  of  the 
monitors  on  the  river  in  a  direct  advance.  But  Grant  determined  to 
cross  the  James  at  Wilcox's  Landing,  ten  miles  below  City  Point, 


258  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

and  entirely  out  of  Lee's  observation,  and  to  move  thence  directly  upon 
Petersburg  with  his  whole  army.  He  would  thus  pass  in  rear  of 
Butler  and  attack  the  extreme  right  flank  of  the  Confederate  line,  which, 
it  was  certain,  would  now  be  held  by  only  a  small  force.  It  involved 
the  performance  of  a  feat  in  transportation  which  had  never  been 
equalled  and  might  well  be  considered  impossible  without  days  of  delay. 

It  was  all  accomplished,  as  will  be  seen,  without  mishap  and  in 
such  an  incredibly  short  time  that  Lee  refused  for  three  days  to  believe 
it.  During  these  three  days,  June  I5th,  i6th  and  I7th,  Grant's  whole 
army  was  arriving  at  and  attacking  Petersburg.  Lee,  with  Longstreet's 
and  Hill's  corps,  for  the  same  three  days,  lay  idle  in  the  woods  on  the 
north  side,  only  replacing  some  of  Beauregard's  troops  taken  to  Peters 
burg  from  in  front  of  Butler. 

On  Saturday,  June  nth,  the  5th  Corps  was  moved  down  the 
Chickahominy,  about  ten  miles,  to  the  vicinity  of  Bottom's  Bridge.  The 
next  night  it  crossed  on  two  pontoon  bridges  and  inclining  to  the 
right,  it  took  position  east  of  Riddle's  shop,  where  it  intrenched  to 
cover  the  passage  of  the  other  corps.  All  of  the  other  corps  moved  at 
the  same  time.  The  2nd  Corps  crossed  at  the  same  bridge  and 
marched  to  Wilcox's  Landing  on  the  James.  The  6th  and  pth  Corps 
crossed  the  Chickahominy  at  Jones'  Bridge  and  marched  to  the  same 
place.  The  i8th  Corps,  under  Smith,  was  sent  back  to  the  White 
House,  where  it  took  transports  for  City  Point,  and  was  landed  there 
the  night  of  the  I4th.  Here  it  was  joined  by  Kautz's  cavalry,  about 
2,400  strong,  and  by  Hink's  colored  division,  3,700,  making  in  all  about 
16,000  men,  who  were' ordered  to  march  at  dawn  on  the  I5th  for  Peters 
burg,  about  eight  miles,  which  they  were  to  attack.  Here  we  may 
leave  them  for  a  while. 

Hancock's  2nd  Corps  reached  Wilcox's  Landing  at  6  p.  m.  on 
Monday,  the  I3th,  after  an  all-night  march  of  about  thirty  miles.  The 
5th  Corps,  under  Warren,  held  its  position,  covering  the  passage  of 
other  corps  until  night  of  the  I3th,  when  it  followed  Hancock  and 
reached  Wilcox's  Landing  the  next  noon.  The  cavalry  and  infantry 
had  had  some  sharp  skirmishing,  and  reported  their  casualties  as  three 
hundred  killed  and  wounded.  The  6th  and  pth  Corps,  whose  marches 
had  been  from  five  to  ten  miles  longer  than  Hancock's,  arrived  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  I4th. 

During  the  I4th  the  transports,  which  had  brought  the  i8th  Corps 
around  from  the  White  House  to  City  Point,  were  employed  in  ferrying 
Hancock  across  the  James.  By  the  morning  of  the  isth  his  whole 
corps  was  across,  with  most  of  its  artillery,  and  at  10.30  a.  m.  it  set 
out  for  Petersburg,  following  Smith,  who  had  gone  from  City  Point 
for  the  same  destination  about  sunrise.  Hancock  had  about  twenty 
thousand  men,  and  about  sixteen  miles  to  go.  All  the  complicated 
movements  involved  in  this  manoeuvre,  and  in  the  capture  of  Petersburg 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  259 

at  which  it  was  aimed,  had  been  as  usual  well  thought  out,  and  covered 
in  the  orders  and  instructions  to  the  different  commanders,  with  a 
single  exception. 

This  exception  was  very  serious  in  its  results,  as  it  postponed 
the  capture  of  Petersburg  for  over  nine  months.  It  had  its  rise  in 
the  division  of  command  and  responsibility  between  co-operating 
armies.  This,  in  its  turn,  had  arisen  from  the  political  necessity  of 
placing  Butler  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  James.  Smith's 
corps  was  a  part  of  that  army,  and  Grant,  feeling  that  secrecy  was 
essential  to  success,  visited  Butler  on  the  I4th,  and  at  his  quarters 
prepared  the  orders  for  Smith's  advance  and  attack  on  Petersburg 
the  next  day.  When  he  returned  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  he 
failed  to  notify  Meade  of  the  hour  of  Smith's  march  and  other 
details,  and  Meade,  of  course,  did  not  inform  Hancock.  It  resulted 
that  Hancock  was  not  ordered  to  march  until  10.30  a  m.,  when  he 
might  just  as  easily  have  marched  at  sunrise,  and  he  was  directed  by 
a  route  an  hour  or  two  longer  than  he  might  have  used.  Finally  he 
came  upon  the  field  at  Petersburg  after  dark,  when  he  might  have 
arrived  in  time  to  unite  in  Smith's  assault. 

Meanwhile  the  5th,  6th,  and  Qth  Corps,  on  the  banks  of 
the  James,  awaited  the  construction  of  the  greatest  bridge  which  the 
world  has  seen  since  the  days  of  Xerxes.  At  the  point  selected  the 
river  was  2,100  feet  wide,  ninety  feet  deep,  and  had  a  rise  and  fall 
of  tide  of  four  feet,  giving  very  strong  currents.  A  draw  was 
necessary  for  the  passage  of  vessels.  The  approaches  having  been 
prepared  on  each  side,  construction  was  begun  at  4  p.  m.  on  the  I4th 
by  Major  Duane,  simultaneously  at  both  ends.  In  eight  hours  the 
bridge  was  finished  and  the  artillery  and  trains  of  the  gth,  5th, 
and  6th  Corps  began  to  cross  in  the  order  named,  that  being  the 
order  in  which  the  corps  would  follow.  For  forty-eight  hours  with 
out  cessation  the  column  poured  across,  and  at  midnight  on  the  i6th 
Grant's  entire  army  was  south  of  the  James. 

During  these  three  days,  the  I5th,  i6th  and  I7th,  Beauregard, 
while  defending  Petersburg  with  great  skill  and  tenacity,  had 
repeatedly  reported  to  Lee  the  arrival  of  Grant's  army  at  Petersburg, 
and  begged  for  re-enforcements.  Lee's  replies  were  as  follows: 

June  i6th,  10.30  a.  m.  "I  do  not  know  the  position  of  Grant's 
army  and  cannot  strip  the  north  bank  of  troops." 

June  I7th,  12  m.  "Until  I  can  get  more  definite  information 
of  Grant's  movements  I  do  not  think  it  prudent  to  draw  more  troops 
to  this  side  of  the  river." 

On  this  day,  Grant's  entire  force  being  now  on  the  field,  his 
attacks  were  urged  with  increasing  vigor,  and  at  6.40  p.  m.  Beaure 
gard  telegraphed  Lee  as  follows: 

"The  increasing  number  of  the  enemy  in  my  front,  and 
inadequacy  of  my  force  to  defend  the  already  too  much  extended 


260  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

lines,  will  compel  me  to  fall  back  within  a  shorter  one,  which  I  will 
attempt  to-night.  This  I  shall  hold  as  long  as  practicable,  but,  with 
out  re-enforcements,  I  may  have  to  evacuate  the  city  very  shortly. 
In  that  event  I  shall  retire  in  the  direction  of  Drury's  Bluff,  defending 
the  crossing  of  Appomattox  River  and  Swift  Creek." 

After  the  receipt  of  this  dispatch,  Kershaw's  division  was 
ordered  to  proceed  during  the  night  to  Bermuda  Hundreds  and  a 
little  later  the  order  was  extended  to  continue  the  march  to  Peters 
burg.  The  fighting  on  Beauregard's  lines  lasted  until  nearly 
midnight.  But  when  it  was  over  and  the  transfer  of  his  troops  to 
their  new  line  was  fairly  under  way,  he  began  to  take  more  radical 
measures  to  convince  Lee  of  the  situation.  He  sent  three  of  his 
staff,  one  after  the  other,  within  two  hours,  with  details  about  the 
prisoners  captured  from  different  corps  of  the  Federal  Army,  with 
the  stories  told  by  each  of  their  marches  since  leaving  Cold  Harbor 
on  the  I2th.  The  first  messenger  was  Beauregard's  aide,  Col. 
Chisolm,  who  interviewed  Lee,  lying  on  the  ground  in  his  tent  near 
Drury's  Bluff,  between  I  and  2  a.  m.  on  the  i8th.  Lee  seemed  very 
placid  and  heard  many  messages,  but  still  said  he  thought  Beauregard 
mistaken  in  supposing  that  any  large  part  of  Grant's  army  had 
crossed  the  river.  He  said,  also,  that  Kershaw's  division  was  already 
under  orders  to  Petersburg,  and  he  promised  to  come  over  in  the 
morning. 

Chisolm  was  soon  followed  by  Col.  Alfred  Roman,  but  he  had 
to  leave  his  messages,  as  Lee's  staff  would  not  disturb  him  again. 
About  3  a.  m.  Major  Giles  B.  Cooke  arrived  and  insisted  upon  an 
interview.  He  brought  further  statements  by  prisoners,  which,  laid 
before  Lee,  thoroughly  satisfied  him  that  Grant's  army  had  now 
been  across  the  James  for  over  forty-eight  hours.  The  following 
telegrams,  which  were  immediately  sent  will  indicate  his  change 
of  view. 

June  i8th,  3.30  a.  m.  "Superintendent  R.  &  P.  R.  R.  Can 
trains  run  to  Petersburg?  If  so,  send  all  cars  available  to  Rice's 
Turnout.  If  they  cannot  run  through,  can  any  be  sent  from  Peters 
burg  to  the  point  where  the  road  is  broken?  It  is  important  to  get 
troops  to  Petersburg  without  delay/'* 

"To   General   Early,   Lynchburg. 

"Grant  is  in  front  of  Petersburg.  Will  be  opposed  there. 
Strike  as  quick  as  you  can.  If  circumstances  authorize,  carry  out 
the  original  plan  or  move  upon  Petersburg  without  delay." 

At  the  same  time  orders  were  sent  Anderson  for  Field's  division 
and  the  corps  headquarters  and  artillery  to  follow  Kershaw's 
division  into  Petersburg.  Kershaw  arrived  there  about  7.30  a.  m.; 
the  rest  of  us  about  nine. 

After  the  fighting  began,  Beauregard  had  recognized  that  he 
would  need  every  available  man  to  defend  the  city,  and  he  ordered 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  261 

Johnson  to  leave  only  Grade's  brigade  in  his  lines,  and  to  come  to 
Petersburg  with  the  rest  of  his  division.  Johnson  brought  about  3,500 
men,  which,  with  Hoke,  gave  Beauregard  in  the  morning  an  effective 
force  of  about  fourteen  thousand  infantry.  During  the  night  he  built 
a  |emporary  line,  throwing  out  the  captured  portion,  while  his  efficient 
chief  engineer,  Col.  D.  B.  Harris,  laid  out  and  commenced  a  better 
located  permanent  line  at  an  average  distance  of  a  half  mile  in  the  rear. 
On  the  i6th,  Hancock  was  in  command,  and  the  Qth  Corps  arrived 
on  the  field,  giving  him  about  48,000  effectives.  He  devoted  the  day 
to  attacks  upon  each  flank  of  the  broken  line  and  succeeded  in  capturing 
one  redan,  No.  4,  on  Beauregard's  left,  and  three,  Nos.  12,  13  and  14, 
on  his  right. 

On  the  I7th,  the  fighting  began  at  3  a.  m.,  and  was  continued 
until  ii  p.  m.  The  attack  at  3  a.  m.  was  conducted  by  Potter's  division 
of  the  Qth  Corps,  and  was  a  complete  surprise.  Extraordinary  precau 
tions  had  been  adopted  to  make  it  so.  No  shot  was  fired.  Canteens 
had  been  packed  in  knapsacks,  and  all  orders  were  transmitted  in 
whispers.  The  Confederates  were  so  exhausted  by  their  incessant 
fighting  by  day  and  working  by  night  that  they  were  sound  asleep, 
with  arms  in  their  hands,  and  double  canister  in  their  guns.  Only  a 
single  gunner  was  waked  in  time  to  pull  a  single  lanyard  before  the 
enemy  swept  over  and  got  possession  of  redan  No.  16,  with  four  guns 
and  six  hundred  prisoners.  Nowhere  else  during  the  long  day  were 
they  able  to  make  any  headway. 

The  5th  Corps  had  now  arrived,  and  one  division  of  the  6th. 
About  dark  in  the  afternoon,  redan  No.  3  on  the  left  had  been  taken 
and  held  temporarily  by  Ledlie's  division  of  the  9th  Corps.  Gracie's 
brigade,  which  had  just  come  in  from  Bermuda  Hundreds,  was  put  to 
charge  them,  and  drove  them  out,  capturing  over  one  thousand  pris 
oners.  After  the  fighting  ceased,  Colonel  Harris  superintended  the 
withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  the  temporary  line  to  the  new  location 
which  had  been  prepared  in  the  last  forty-eight  hours. 

At  4  a.  m.  on  the  i8th,  a  general  advance  was  made  by  the  2nd, 
5th  and  9th  Corps,  the  6th  and  i8th  supporting  in. reserve.  The  ground 
in  front  of  the  points  which  had  been  assaulted  was  thickly  strewn  with 
the  Federal  dead,  and  the  slight  trenches,  from  which  they  had  fought 
so  long  and  desperately,  were  filled  with  the  slain  there  had  been  no 
opportunity  to  bury  or  remove. 

Humphreys  states  that  about  mid-day  the  2nd  Corps  made  two 
assaults,  "both  repulsed  with  severe  loss."  Later  Meade  again  ordered 
"assaults  by  all  the  corps  with  their  whole  force,  and  at  all  hazards, 
and  as  soon  as  possible.  All  the  corps  assaulted  late  in  the  afternoon, 
and  at  hours  not  widely  apart.  Birney  with  all  his  disposable  force. 
Mott  from  the  Hare  house  .  .  .  supported  by  one  of  Gibbon's 
brigades,  Barlow  on  Mott's  left— but  were  repulsed  with  considerable 
loss.  Burnside  found  the  task  of  driving  the  enemy  out  of  the  railroad 


262  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

cut  a  formidable  one,  and,  assaulting,  established  his  corps  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  main  line  ....  Warren's  assault 
was  well  made,  some  of  Griffin's  men  being  killed  within  twenty  feet 
of  the  enemy's  works,  but  it  was  no  more  successful  than  the  others. 
His  losses  were  very  severe.  .  .  .  On  the  right,  Martindale 
advanced  and  gained  some  rifle  oits,  but  did  not  assault  the  main  line." 
In  brief  review,  it  must  be  said  that  Grant  successfully  deceived 
Lee  as  to  his  whereabouts  for  at  least  three  days,  and  this  at  the  most 
critical  period  of  the  war. 

THE  MINE 

Our  first  days  in  the  Petersburg  trenches  were  exceedingly  busy 
ones.  From  June  igth  to  24th,  a  daily  entry  in  my  note-book  was: 
"Severe  sharpshooting  and  artillery  oractice  without  intermission  day 
or  night."  Our  whole  time  was  spent  in  improving  our  lines  and  getting 
our  batteries  protected  and  with  good  communications.  Never  until  in 
this  campaign  had  the  enemy  used  mortar  fire  in  the  field,  but  now 
Abbott's  Reserve  Artillery  Regiment  of  seventeen  hundred  men  brought 
into  use  sixty  mortars,  ranging  from  twenty-four-pounder  Coehorns  to 
ten-inch  Seacoast,  which  caused  us  great  annoyance,  as  we  had  to  keep 
our  trenches  fully  manned  and  had  no  protection  against  the  dropping 
shells.  Fortunately  I  had  ordered  some  mortars  constructed  in  Rich 
mond  about  two  weeks  before,  and  they  began  to  arrive  on  June  24th, 
and  were  at  once  brought  into  use.  They  were  only  twelve-pounders, 
but  were  light  and  convenient  and  at  close  ranges  enabled  us  to  hold 
our  own  with  less  loss  than  might  have  been  expected.  The  cannoneers 
in  the  batteries  and  the  infantry  in  the  lines  who  were  exposed  to  this 
mortar  fire  managed  to  build  little  bomb-proofs  and  a  labyrinth  of 
deep  and  narrow  trenches  in  rear  of  the  lines.  Abbott's  siege  train 
also  included  six  10— pounder  and  forty  30-pounder  rifles  besides  their 
regular  field  artillery.  Many  of  the  heavy  calibres  were  mounted  on 
the  permanent  forts  erected  in  the  outer  line  already  referred  to. 

These  constituted  a  sort  of  intrenched  citadel,  consisting  of 
isolated  forts  connected  by  infantry  parapets  with  ditches  and  abatis 
.and  impregnable  to  any  assault.  Here  a  small  fraction  of  the  army 
could  securely  hold  its  line  for  days  and  continue  to  threaten  Peters 
burg,  leaving  the  rest  free  to  extend  lines  on  the  south  or  to  threaten 
Richmond  on  the  north.  Meanw7hile,  in  front  their  offensive  system 
of  trenches  and  redans  was  pushed  as  close  as  possible  to  ours  and  we 
were  constantly  menaced  with  assault  should  we  weaken  our  garrison. 

One  point  in  our  front,  called  Elliott's  Salient,  was  recognized 
as  particularly  weak.  The  edge  of  the  deep  valley  of  Poor  Creek, 
approximately  parallel  to  our  general  line  of  works,  here  approached 
within  133  yards  of  the  salient,  which  was  held  by  Pegram's  battery, 
Elliott's  brigade  occupying  the  adjacent  lines.  Along  the  near  edge 
of  the  valley  the  enemy  built  strong  rifle  pits,  with  elaborate  head-logs 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  263 

and  loopholes,  from  which  a  constant  fire  was  kept  up  upon  our  works. 
In  the  valley  behind  was  ample  room  for  an  unlimited  force,  which 
could  be  collected  and  massed  without  our  knowledge  and  would  have 
but  133  yards  to  advance  under  fire  to  reach  our  works.  We  soon  man 
aged  to  place  obstructions  in  front  of  the  parapet  at  this  point  and 
watched  closely,  confidently  expecting  that  the  enemy  would  here  begin 
soon  to  make  zigzag  approaches  as  in  a  siege. 

*  ***** 

On  June  30th,  I  became  convinced  that  the  enemy  were  preparing 
to  mine  our  position  at  the  Elliott  Salient.  At  that  point  incessant  fire 
was  kept  up  by  their  sharpshooters,  while  a  few  hundred  yards 
to  the  right  and  left  the  fire  had  been  gradually  allowed  to  diminish 
and  men  might  show  themselves  without  being  fired  at.  That  indicated 
that  some  operation  was  going  on,  and  for  several  days  I  had  expected 
to  see  zigzag  approaches  started  on  the  surface  of  the  ground.  When 
several  days  had  passed  and  nothing  appeared,  I  became  satisfied  that 
their  activity  was  underground.  On  my  way  home  I  was  that  day 
wounded  by  a  sharpshooter  and  received  a  furlough  of  six  weeks  to 
visit  my  home  in  Georgia.  On  my  way  to  the  cars  next  day  I  was 
driven  by  Lee's  headquarters,  where  I  reported  my  belief  about  the 
mine.  There  happened  to  be  present  Mr.  Lawley,  the  English  cor 
respondent  of  the  London  Times,  who  was  much  interested  and  asked 
how  far  it  would  be  necessary  to  tunnel  to  get  under  our  works.  I 
answered  about  five  hundred  feet.  He  stated  that  the  longest  military 
tunnel  or  gallery  which  had  ever  been  run  was  at  the  siege  of  Delhi, 
and  that  did  not  exceed  four  hundred  feet.  That  it  was  found  impos 
sible  to  ventilate  for  any  greater  distance.  I  replied  that  in  the  Federal 
army  were  many  Pennsylvania  coal-miners,  who  could  be  relied  on  to 
ventilate  mines  any  distance  that  might  be  necessary,  and  it  would  not 
do  to  rely  upon  military  precedents.  It  proved  that  my  suspicion 
was  correct. 

It  was  June  3oth  when  I  guessed  it.  The  gallery  had  been 
commenced  on  June  27th.  It  was  undertaken  in  opposition  to  the 
advice  of  all  the  military  engineers  at  Federal  headquarters  by  Lieut. 
Colonel  Pleasants  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  a  cqal-miner, 
who  saw  the  opportunity  which  the  situation  offered.  A  gallery 
was  successfully  extended  511  feet,  with  two  branch  galleries  at  the 
end,  to  the  right  and  left,  each  thirty-seven  feet  long.  These  branch 
galleries  were  charged  with  gun-powder  in  eight  parcels  of  one 
thousand  pounds  each,  connected  by  open  troughs  of  powder  to  be 
fired  by  safety  fuses  coming  through  the  tamping  and  along  the 
gallery. 

His  method  of  ventilation  was  very  simple.  When  the  tunnel 
had  penetrated  the  hill  far  enough  to  need  it,  a  close  partition  was 
built  across  it  near  the  entrance  with  a  close-fitting  door.  Through 
the  partition  on  the  side  of  this  door  was  placed  the  open  end  of 


264  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

a  long  square  box,  or  closed  trough,  which  was  built  along  on  the 
floor  of  the  tunnel,  conveying  the  fresh  outside  air  to  the  far  end  of 
the  tunnel,  where  the  men  extending  it  were  at  work. 

To  create  a  draught  through  this  air-box  a  fireplace  was 
excavated  in  the  side  of  the  tunnel,  within  the  partition,  and  a 
chimney  was  pierced  through  the  hill  above  it.  A  small  fire  in  this 
chimney-place,  and  the  outside  air  would  pass  through  the  air-box 
to  the  far  end  of  the  tunnel,  whence  it  would  return  and  escape  up 
the  chimney,  taking  with  it  the  foul  air  of  the  tunnel.  This  tunnel 
was  finished  July  i7th,  the  galleries  on  the  23rd,  and  the  mine  was 
charged  and  tamped  on  the  28th. 

Lee,  on  receipt  of  my  message  on  July  ist,  ordered  our 
engineers  to  start  counter-mines  at  the  Elliott  Salient.  Two  shafts 
were  sunk  about  ten  feet  and  listening  galleries  were  run  out  from 
each.  Unfortunately  the  shafts  were  located  on  the  right  and  left 
flanks  of  the  battery,  and  the  enemy's  gallery  passed  at  a  depth  of 
twenty  feet  under  the  apex,  and  was  so  silently  built  that  our  miners 
never  knew  of  their  proximity.  Had  they  detected  it  they  would 
have  hastened  to  explode  what  is  called  a  camonfiet,  an  undercharged  or 
"smothered  mine,"  which  does  not  disturb  the  surface,  but  caves  in 
adjacent  galleries. 

By  July  loth  our  miners  had  done  enough  work,  had  it  been 
done  at  the  apex  of  the  salient,  to  have  heard  the  enemy,  who  would 
have  been  directly  beneath  them.  Work  was  not  only  kept  up,  how 
ever,  on  the  flanks,  but  at  two  other  positions  farther  to  the  left, 
known  as  Colquitt's  and  Grade's  Salients.  Countermines  were  also 
begun;  at  Colquitt's  on  the  loth  and  at  Grade's  on  the  iQth.  All 
four  of  our  mines  were  constantly  pushed  until  the  30th,  when  the 
explosion  occurred,  the  total  length  of  our  galleries  being  then  about 
375  feet.  Of  the  two  galleries  on  each  side  of  the  mine,  one,  which 
was  unoccupied,  was  destroyed  by  the  explosion.  In  the  other 
miners  were  at  work,  but,  though  much  shaken  up,  the  galleries 
were  not  crushed  and  the  miners  climbed  out  and  escaped. 

Meanwhile,  in  spite  of  predictions  of  failure,  the  mine  had  been 
constructed,  and  though  we  were  known  to  suspect  it,  and  our 
countermining  operations  could  be  heard,  it  was  now  determined  to 
delay  the  explosion  until  preparations  could  be  made  to  have  it 
followed  by  a  grand  charge,  supported  by  the  concentration  of  a  great 
force,  both  of  infantry  and  artillery.  That  it  might  be  the  more 
effective  Grant  determined  to  combine  strategy  with  main  force,  and 
first  endeavor  to  draw  a  large  part  of  our  infantry  to  the  north  side 
of  the  James.  At  suitable  points  he  had  already  built  signal  towers 
overlooking  our  lines  and  some  of  our  most  important  roads,  and 
now  the  artillery  officers  were  directed  to  prepare  specially  to 
concentrate  fire  upon  every  gun  in  our  lines  which  could  be  used  for 
the  defence  of  Elliott's  Salient.  In  obedience  to  these  instructions, 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  265 

Humphreys  reports,  "heavy  guns  and  mortars,  eighty-one  in  all,  and 
about  the  same  number  of  field  guns,"  were  prepared  with  abundant 
ammunition. 

At  Deep  Bottom,  Butler  maintained  two  pontoon  bridges 
across  the  James,  with  part  of  the  Tenth  Corps  on  the  north  side, 
under  cover  of  his  gunboats  and  ironclads.  Of  course  we  had  to 
maintain  a  moderate  force  in  observation,  which  under  General 
Conner,  was  located  near  Bailey's  Creek.  Grant  could  cross  both 
the  Appomattox  and  the  James  and  go  from  his  lines  around  Peters 
burg  to  Deep  Bottom  by  a  march  of  twelve  miles,  all  of  it  entirely 
concealed  from  our  view.  Lee  could  only  send  troops  to  meet  him 
by  a  march  of  twenty  miles. 

On  the  afternoon  of  July  26th  Hancock  with  about  twenty 
thousand  infantry  and  Sheridan  with  two  divisions,  about  six  thou 
sand  cavalry,  were  started  to  Deep  Bottom.  It  was  expected  that 
this  force,  aided  by  the  Tenth  Corps,  would  surprise  the  Confederate 
brigade  (Conner's)  and  would  then  make  a  dash  toward  Richmond. 
Sheridan  was  directed  also  to  endeavor  to  cut  the  railroads  north  of 
Richmond.  During  the  night  this  force  crossed  the  river,  and  at 
dawn  on  the  27th  moved  upon  our  lines  and  captured  four  20-pounder 
Parrotts  in  an  advanced  position. 

It  happened  that  Lee  had  noted  the  activity  of  the  enemy  in 
that  quarter.  Wilcox's  division  was  already  at  Drury's  Bluff,  and 
on  the  24th  it  and  Kershaw's  division  were  sent  to  re-enforce  Conner. 
This  force  made  such  a  show  that  Hancock,  finding  it  there  before 
him,  did  not  deem  it  wise  to  assault  their  line.  On  their  left 
Kershaw  even  advanced  against  Sheridan's  cavalry  and  forced  it  to 
retreat.  It  took  a  position  behind  a  ridge,  where  it  dismounted  a 
considerable  force  armed  with  the  Spencer  magazine  carbines.  Ker 
shaw  unwisely  attempted  a  charge  and  was  quickly  repulsed,  losing 
250  prisoners  and  two  colors. 

On  hearing  of  Hancock's  crossing  on  the  morning  of  the  27th, 
and  that  prisoners  had  been  captured  from  the  2nd,  loth,  and  i8th 
Corps,  Lee  immediately  sent  over  W.  H.  F.  Lee's  division  of  cavalry 
and  Heth's  infantry  of  Hill's  corps.  Later  in  the  day  he  arranged 
to  have  Field's  division  of  infantry  withdrawn  from  his  trenches  at 
dark,  to  follow  during  the  night,  and  Fitz  Lee's  cavalry  the  next 
morning.  President  Davis  was  also  advised,  and  on  the  2pth  the 
Local  Defence  troops  in  Richmond  were  called  out  to  the  defence 
of  the  Richmond  lines.  These  troops  were  never  called  out  except 
in  the  gravest  emergencies,  which  indicates  the  importance  Lee 
attached  to  the  demonstration. 

But  it  was  only  a  demonstration  designed  to  be  abandoned  if  it 
failed  to  make  a  surprise  of  our  lines  at  Deep  Bottom  on  the  27th. 
As  this  became  apparent  on  the  28th,  orders  were  issued  from  Deep 
Bottom  to  prepare  the  mine  for  explosion  on  the  morning  of  the  30th. 


266  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Orders  were  also  given  for  the  2nd  Corps,  with  a  division 
of  the  i8th  Corps,  and  one  of  the  loth,  to  return  and  take 
part  in  the  assault.  Sheridan's  cavalry  was  also  to  return,  and 
passing  in  rear  of  the  army,  to  take  position  on  its  left,  to 
threaten  our  extreme  right  and  prevent  our  re-enforcing  the  vicinity 
of  the  mine.  The  explosion  might  have  been  arranged  for  the  afternoon 
of  the  2Qth,  but  the  morning  of  the  30th  was  chosen,  as  it  permitted 
the  placing  of  more  heavy  guns  and  mortars  for  the  bombardment, 
which  would  follow  the  explosion,  as  well  as  preliminary  arrangements, 
such  as  massing  the  troops,  removing  parapets  and  abatis  to  make 
passages  for  the  assaulting  columns,  and  the  posting  of  pioneers  to 
remove  our  abatis  and  open  passages  for  artillery  through  our  lines. 
Depots  of  intrenching  tools,  with  sand-bags,  gabions,  fascines,  etc., 
were  established,  that  lodgments  might  be  more  quickly  made,  though 
the  pioneers  of  all  regiments  were  already  well  supplied  with  tools. 
Engineer  officers  were  designated  to  accompany  all  columns,  and  even 
pontoon  trains  were  at  hand  to  bridge  the  Appomattox  in  pursuit  of 
fugitives.  Finally/  Meade  personally  impressed  on  every  corps  com 
mander  the  importance  of  celerity  of  movement.  Briefly,  no  possible 
precaution  was  omitted  to  be  carefully  ordered,  and  the  success  of  the 
Deep  Bottom  expedition,  in  drawing  Lee's  forces  to  that  locality,  had 
exceeded  all  expectations. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3Oth  Lee  had  left  to  hold  the  ten  miles 
of  lines  about  Petersburg  but  three  divisions,  Hoke's,  Johnson's  and 
Mahone's,  about  eighteen  thousand  men,  most  of  the  rest  of  his  army 
being  twenty  miles  away.  Hoke  and  Johnson  held  from  the  Appomattox 
on  the  left  to  a  little  beyond  the  mine.  Mahone  held  all  beyond,  one 
brigade  being  four  miles  to  the  right.  The  2nd,  5th,  Qth  Corps,  and  parts 
of  the  loth  and  i8th,  with  two  divisions  of  Sheridan's  cavalry,  sixteen 
divisions  in  all,  nearly  sixty  thousand  men,  were  concentrated  to  follow 
up  the  surprise  to  be  given  by  the  explosion  under  Johnson's  division. 
That  it  should  be  the  more  complete,  for  two  days  no  heavy  guns  or 
mortars  had  been  fired,  that  the  Confederates  might  believe  that  the 
Federals  were  preparing  to  retreat.  . 

Everything  now  seemed  to  be  working  exactly  as  Grant  would 
have  it,  and  it  is  difficult  to  entirely  explain  how  the  attack  came  to 
fail  so  utterly.  Doubtless  several  causes  co-operated,  which  will  be 
presently  referred  to,  but  among  them  was  doubtless  the  same  cause 
which,  on  May  I2th,  nullified  the  Federal  surprise  at  the  Bloody  Angle 
at  Spottsylvania.  Too  many  troops  had  been  brought  together  and  they 
were  in  each  other's  way.  On  a  smaller  scale,  in  the  assault  on  Fort 
Saunders  at  Knoxville,  three  Confederate  brigades  got  mingled  in  the 
assault,  which  at  once  lost  its  vigor,  though  it  did  not  retreat  until  after 
receiving  severe  punishment.  The  brigadier  in  command  on  this  occa 
sion  ascribed  his  failure  to  the  presence  of  the  two  other  brigades,  who 
should  have  been  upon  his  flanks. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS 


267 


The  assault  was  to  be  led  by  Ledlie' s  division  of  the  Qth  Corps, 
a  selection  made  by  lot,  and  a  very  unfortunate  one,  as  Ledlie  and 
Ferrero,  who  commanded  the  colored  division,  which  was  to  follow 
Ledlie,  both  took  shelter  in  a  bomb-proof,  where  they  remained  during 
the  entire  action.  The  mine  was  ordered  to  be  fired  at  3.30  a.  m.,  but 
the  fuses  had  been  spliced,  and,  when  fired,  failed  at  the  splice.  After 
an  hour  an  officer  and  sergeant  entered  the  tunnel  and  relighted  the 


20        SO        40        50         60  Feel. 


Scale. 
Crater 


Diagram  of  Crater 


fuse.  The  explosion  occurred  at  4.40.  As  the  sun  rose  about  4.50,  the 
delay  had  been  advantageous,  as  it  gave  daylight  for  the  movements 
of  the  troops  and  for  the  artillery  fire. 

The  explosion  made  a  crater  150  feet  long,  97  feet  wide  and  30  feet 
deep,  the  contents  being  hurled  so  high  in  the  air  that  the  foremost 
ranks  of  the  assaulting  columns,  150  yards  away,  shrank  back  in 
disorder  in  fear  of  the  falling  earth.  The  bulk  of  the  earth,  however, 


268  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

fell  immediately  around  the  crater,  mingled  with  the  debris  of  two 
guns,  twenty-two  cannoneers,  and  perhaps  250  infantry  (nine  companies 
of  the  ipth  and  22nd  South  Carolina,  which  had  been  carried  up  in 
the  air).  Quite  a  number  of  those  who  fell  safely  were  dug  out  and 
rescued  alive  by  the  assaulting  column.  Some,  not  yet  aroused,  were 
lost,  covered  up  in  the  bomb-proofs  of  the  adjacent  trenches  by  the 
falling  earth.  This  formed  a  high  embankment,  as  it  were,  all  around 
the  crater,  with  one  enormous  clod,  the  size  of  a  small  cabin,  perched 
about  the  middle  of  the  inside  rim,  which  remained  a  landmark  for 
months.  A  high  interior  line,  called  a  trench  cavalier,  had  been  built 
across  the  gorge  of  the  salient  enclosing  a  triangular  space,  and  the 
left  centre  of  this  space  about  coincided  with  the  centre  of  the  explosion. 
The  parapets  were  partially  destroyed  and  largely  buried  by  the 
falling  earth. 

Into  this  crater  the  leading  division  literally  swarmed  until  it 
was  packed  about  as  full  as  it  could  hold,  and  what  could  not  get  in 
there  crowded  into  the  adjacent  trenches,  which  the  falling  earth  had 
caused  to  be  vacated  for  a  short  distance  on  each  flank.  But,  consider 
ing  the  surprise,  the  novelty  of  the  occasion,  and  the  terrific  cannonade 
by  150  guns  and  mortars  which  was  opened  immediately,  the  coolness 
and  self-possession  of  the  entire  brigade  was  remarkable,  and  to  it  is 
to  be  attributed  the  success  of  the  defence.  This  was  conducted 
principally  by  Colonel  McMaster,  of  the  I7th  South  Carolina,  General 
Elliott  having  been  soon  severely  wounded.  The  effect  of  the  artillery 
cannonade  was  more  moral  than  physical,  for  the  smoke  so  obscured 
the  view  that  the  fire  was  largely  at  random,  at  least  for  one  or  two 
hours,  during  which  it  was  in  fullest  force.  The  effort  was  at  once 
made  to  collect  a  small  force  in  the  trenches  upon  each  flank,  and 
one  in  an  intrenchment  occupying  a  slight  depression  which  ran  parallel 
to  our  line  of  battle  some  250  yards  in  rear  of  it,  the  effort  being  to 
confine  the  enemy  to  the  crater  and  the  lines  immediately  adjoining. 
The  multiplicity  of  the  deep  and  narrow  trenches,  and  the  bomb-proofs 
in  the  rear  of  cur  lines,  doubtless  contributed  to  our  success  in  doing 
this  on  the  flanks,  but  there  was  also  decided  lack  of  vigor  and  enterprise 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  which  oermitted  us  to  form  barricades 
which  were  successfully  defended  to  the  last. 

Meanwhile  the  re-enforcements  to  the  storming  column,  instead 
of  spreading  to  the  flanks,  massed  outside  of  our  lines  in  rear  of  the 
storming  column,  which  had  made  no  further  advance,  but  had  filled  the 
crater  and  all  the  captured  lines.  Several  efforts  were  made  to  advance 
from  time  to  time,  but  the  first  were  feeble,  and  could  be  checked  by 
the  remains  of  the  brigade  under  McMaster,  until  two  regiments  of 
Wise's  brigade  and  two  of  Ransom's  were  brought  up  from  the  left. 
With  their  aid  the  situation  was  made  safe  and  held  until  about  10 
a.  m.,  when  Mahone  arrived  at  the  head  of  three  brigades  of  his  corps 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  269 

drawn  from  the  lines  on  our  right.  A  regiment  of  Hoke's  from  the 
left  also  came  up  later. 

In  the  meantime  a  few  of  our  guns  had  found  themselves  able  to 
fire  with  great  effect  upon  the  enemy  massed  in  front  of  our  lines. 
The  left  gun  in  the  next  salient  to  the  right,  occupied  by  Davidson's 
battery,  was  in  an  embrasure  which  flanked  the  Pegram  Salient,  but  was 
not  open  to  any  gun  on  the  enemy's  lines.  This  gun  did  fearful  execu 
tion,  being  scarcely  four  hundred  yards  distant.  It  was  fired  by  Major 
Gibbes,  commanding  the  battalion,  for  perhaps  forty  rounds,  until  he 
was  dangerously  wounded,  after  which  it  was  served  by  Col.  Huger  and 
members  of  my  staff,  and  later  by  some  of  Wise's  brigade  of  infantry. 
A  tremendous  fire  was  turned  upon  it,  but  it  was  well  protected  and 
could  never  be  kept  silent  when  the  enemv  showed  himself. 

Five  hundred  yards  to  the  left  was  a  four-gun  battery,  under 
Captain  Wright,  of  Coit's  battalion  in  a  depression  behind  our  line  and 
masked  from  the  enemy  by  some  trees.  But  it  had  a  flanking  fire  on  the 
left  of  Pegram's  salient  and  across  all  the  approaches  and  a  number 
of  infantry  of  Wise's  brigade  could  also  add  their  fire.  Wright's  fire 
was  rapid,  incessant,  and  accurate,  causing  great  loss.  The  Federal 
artillery  made  vain  efforts  to  locate  him  with  their  mortar  shells, 
which  tore  up  the  ground  all  around,  but  could  never  hit  him  or 
silence  him. 

Besides  these  a  half  dozen  or  more  of  Coehorn  mortars,  under 
Colonel  J.  C.  Haskell  from  two  or  three  different  ravines  in  the  rear 
threw  shell  aimed  at  the  crater.  And  finally  six  hundred  yards  directly 
in  the  rear  of  the  mine  was  the  sunken  Jerusalem  Plank  Road,  in  which 
I  had  placed  Haskell's  battalion  of  sixteen  guns  about  the  20th  of 
June,  and  he  had  been  kept  there  ever  since  without  showing  a  gun  or 
throwing  up  any  earth  which  would  disclose  his  position.  He  had 
suffered  some  loss  from  random  sharpshooters'  bullets  coming  over  the 
parapets  at  the  salient  five  hundred  yards  in  front,  but  it  was  borne 
rather  than  disclose  the  location. 

This  morning,  on  one  occasion,  a  charge  was  attempted  by  the 
colored  division,  part  of  which  was  brought  out  of  the  crater  and 
started  toward  the  plank  road.  Then  Haskell's  guns  showed  them 
selves  and  opened  fire.  The  charge  was  quickly  driven  back  with 
severe  loss  among  its  white  officers.  A  single  private,  with  his  musket 
at  a  support  arms,  made  the  charge  alone,  running  all  the  way  to  the 
guns  and  jumping  into  the  sunken  road  between  them,  where  he  was 
felled  with  a  rammer  staff.  Meanwhile,  our  guns  across  the  Appo- 
mattox  on  the  Federal  right  and  from  our  left  near  the  river  had  kept 
up  a  reply  to  the  Federal  cannonade  to  prevent  their  concentration 
opposite  the  mine.  Lee  and  Beauregard  had  early  come  to  the  field, 
which  they  surveyed  from  the  windows  of  the  Gee  house,  where 
Johnson  made  headquarters,  on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  Road  near 
Haskell's  guns.  Hill  had  gone  to  bring  up  his  troops. 


270  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

On  the  arrival  of  Mahone  he  at  once  prepared  to  attack,  and  had 
formed  Weiseger's  brigade,  when  a  renewed  attempt  to  advance  was 
made  from  the  enemy's  lines  on  our  left  of  the  crater.  He  at  once  met 
this  by  a  counter-charge  of  Weiseger's  with  a  portion  of  Elliott's, 
which  drove  the  enemy  back  and  which  caused  the  retreat  from  the 
rear  of  their  lines  of  many  who  had  been  sheltered  within  them. 
These  suffered  severely  by  our  fire  from  the  flanks  as  they  crossed  the 
open  space  behind,  under  fire  from  the  guns  upon  both  flanks  and 
infantry  as  well. 

This  retreat  under  such  severe  fire  was  seen  in  the  Federal  lines 
just  in  time  to  put  a  stop  to  an  attack  upon  our  right  flank  about  to 
be  made  by  Ayres'  division  of  Warren's  corps,  which  had  been  ordered 
to  capture  the  "one-gun  battery"  on  our  right,  as  they  called  the  one 
at  which  Gibbes  had  been  wounded. 

Humphreys  calls  this  a  two-gun  battery.  There  were  two 
embrasures  and  two  guns,  but  only  one  used.  The  other  did  not 
bear  when  desired. 

There  was  very  little  infantry  supporting  this  gun,  or  able  to 
reach  it,  without  exposure.  Ayres'  attack  would  probably  have  been 
successful.  He  was  about  to  go  forward  when  Meade  directed  all 
offensive  operations  to  cease.  Wright's  brigade  arriving  about  half-past 
eleven,  Mahone  made  a  second  attack,  which  was  repulsed  principally 
by  the  Federal  artillery  bearing  upon  the  ground. 

Between  i  and  2.  p.  m.,  Sanders'  brigade  having  arrived,  and  also 
the  6ist  North  Carolina  from  Hoke,  a  combined  movement  upon  both 
flanks  of  the  crater  was  organized.  Mahone  attacked  on  the  left,  with 
Sanders'  brigade,  the  6ist  North  Carolina  and  the  I7th  South  Carolina. 
Johnson  attacked  on  the  right  with  the  23rd  South  Carolina  and  the 
remaining  five  companies  of  the  22nd,  all  that  could  be  promptly 
collected  on  that  flank. 

This  attack  was  easily  successful.  Mahone  has  stated  that  the 
number  of  prisoners  taken  in  the  crater  was  1,101,  including  two  brigade 
commanders,  Bartlett  and  Marshall. 

The  tabular  statement  of  the  medical  department  gives  the 
Federal  casualties  of  the  day  as  killed,  419;  wounded,  1,679;  missing, 
1,910;  total,  4,008.  Elliott's  brigade  reported  the  loss  by  the  explosion  as: 

Killed.  Wounded.  Total. 

In  iSth  S.  C.,  4  companies 43  43  86 

In  22nd  S.  C.,  5  companies .  .  170 

In  Pegram's  Battery  out  of  30  present     . .  . .  22 

Total    278 

Including  these,  Johnson  reports  the  casualties  in  his  division 
(Elliott,  Wise,  Ransom,  Gracie)  as  follows:  Killed,  265;  wounded,  415; 
missing,  315.  Total,  938. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  271 

The  mine  was  a  great  success,  and  its  effects  exceeded 
the  expectation  of  the  designer.  The  regiment  did  not  par 
ticipate  in  the  battle  which  followed  the  explosion,  being 
excused  by  special  order,  but  was  peculiarly  interested  in  its 
success,  and  although  not  ordered  in,  was  continually  under 
fire,  a  number  of  the  officers  and  men  being  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight.  Gen.  Meade  promptly  acknowledged  the  services 
of  the  regiment  in  the  following  order: 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 
General  Orders  No.  32.  August  3,  1864. 

The  Commanding  General  takes  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
the  valuable  services  rendered  by  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  Pleasants'  48th 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers  and  the  officers  and  men  of  his  com 
mand  in  the  excavation  of  the  mine  which  was  successfully  exploded  on 
the  morning  of  the  3Oth  ultimo  under  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries  in 
front  of  the  second  division  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  The  skill  dis 
played  in  the  laying  out  and  construction  of  the  mine  reflects  great 
credit  upon  Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants,  the  officer  in  charge,  and  the  willing 
endurance  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  of  the  extraordinary 
labor  and  fatigue  involved  in  the  prosecution  in  the  work  to  completion 
are  worthy  of  the  highest  praise.  By  command  of 
S.  WILLIAM s,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen.  MAJOR  GENERAL  MEADE. 

Abstract  from  General  orders,  September  I3th,  1864, 
from  General  R.  B.  Potter,  commanding  2nd  Div.  gth  Army 
Corps. 

"Lieut.  Col.  Henry  Pleasants,  Forty-eighth  Penna.  Vet. 
Vols.,  is  recommended  for  brevet  for  the  successful  manage 
ment  of  the  mine  which  was  sprung  on  the  3Oth  of  July  in 
front  of  the  9th  Army  Corps." 

Throughout  the  construction  of  the  mine,  Col.  Pleasants 
placed  great  dependence  upon  Capt.  Winlack  and  John  Wat 
son,  of  Company  "E,"  and  Sergt.  Henry  Reese, *  of  Company 

*The  death  of  Lieut.  Harry  Reese,  which  occurred  at  Shamokin 
May  12,  1892,  removed  one  of  our  best  and  bravest  Schuylkill  County 
veterans  of  the  war,  than  whom  there  were  no  better  in  the  armies  of 
the  Union  when  the  fate  of  the  Republic  hung  in  the  balance.  Lieut. 
Reese's  skill  and  heroism  at  the  Petersburg  mine  immortalized  his 
name,  notwithstanding  it  failed  of  the  full  results  his  commander  had 
planned  and  hoped  for,  yet  Reese  did  his  work  well  and  fearlessly,  for 
which  he  received  the  thanks  of  the  nation.  He  goes  to  join  the  silent 
majority  regretted  and  mourned  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances. — Shamokin,  Pa.,  Herald. 


272 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


"F,"  who  had  charge  of  the  mining.  He  was  on  duty  continually, 
never  leaving  the  mine  during  its  construction.  His  meals  were 
taken  at  night  on  the  grounds,  and  he  kept  his  blankets  at  the 
mouth  of  the  mine  and  slept  there  and  could  be  found  and 
consulted  by  day  or  by  night.  Being  a  practical  miner,  his 
advice  and  assistance  were  of  material  aid  to  Col.  Pleasantsr 
and  were  promptly  acknowledged  by  that  officer. 


2nd     Lieut.    Harry    Reese, 
Co.  F,  48th   Regt.,  P.  V.  V. 

An  incident  occurred  about  the  I5th  of  July  that 
occasioned  considerable  comment  among  the  enlisted  men 
of  the  army  stationed  here.  It  was  the  execution  of  two  men 
of  the  72d  New  York  by  hanging.  They  were  tried  by  a 
military  court-martial  and  sentenced,  the  charge  being  rape. 
Their  accuser  was  a  middle-aged  lady  who  resided  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  did  not  bear  a  very  good  reputation.  The 
execution  took  place  at  what  was  called  the  corduroy  crossing, 
a  point  between  Meade  Station  and  City  Point,  and  was 
witnessed  by  the  whole  body  of  troops  who  camped  in  the 
vicinity. 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  273 

In  regard  to  the  execution  of  the  two  members  of  the 
New  York  who  were  convicted  of  rape,  it  was  learned 
that  they  were  innocent  of  the  charge.  A  few  years  before 
the  death  of  Col.  Henry  Pleasants,  Capt.  J.  Frank  Werner 
read  a  newspaper  statement  made  by  the  woman  who  had 
been  the  prosecutor  in  the  case.  She  was  very  ill  and  about 
to  die,  and  acknowledged  that  she  swore  the  lives  of  these 
men  away  in  order  to  contribute  her  mite  towards  the  exter 
mination  of  the  Yankee  army.  This  newspaper  clipping  was 
handed  to  Col.  Pleasants  and  was  lost,  therefore,  cannot  be 
inserted  here. 

From  Miners'  Journal,  Aug.  2nd,  1864: 

Regarding  the  death  of  Captain  Benj.  B.  Schuck,  which 
occurred  June  27th,  1864,  from  wounds  received  on  the  25th, 
Lieut.  F.  D.  Koch  says,  "In  losing  the  Captain,  we  are 
deprived  of  a  good  officer,  and  above  all  a  brave  soldier. 
He  was  never  wanting  in  time  of  battle,  but  always  at  the 
head  of  his  men,  leading  them  against  the  enemy  in  every 
encounter. 

"Captain  Schuck  was  formerly  from  Milton,  Pa.,  but  had 
resided  in  Middleport,  Schuylkill  County,  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  entered  the  U.  S.  service  as  First  Sergeant, 
Co.  I,  August  1 5th,  '61,  and  commissioned  First  Lieut. 
October,  '62,  and  afterward  commissioned  as  Captain, 
August  28th,  '63. 

"During  his  stay  with  the  company  and  regiment,  he 
won  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  all  who  knew  him, 
for  none  knew  him  but  to  honor  and  praise  him  for  his 
manly  actions  and  the  noble  service  he  has  rendered  in  the 
defense  of  his  country's  cause.  Peace  to  his  ashes." 

Yours,  etc.,  F.  D.  KOCH. 

The  regiment  now  resumed  its  duties  on  the  line,  and  on 
the  3d  of  August,  Captain  J.  H.  Hoskings,  of  Company  F,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  regiment,  which  was  temporarily 
attached  to  the  2nd  Brigade,  under  Col.  Pleasants,  tempo 
rarily,  was  wounded  while  in  charge  of  the  picket  line  by  a 

18 


274  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

rebel  sharpshooter,  whose  bullet  ''passed  through  the  fleshy 
part  of  his  left  breast,  at  an  angle,  passing  through  the  muscles 
of  his  left  arm,  making  four  distinct  holes."  On  the  5th,  Lieut. 
David  Brown,  of  Company  H,  was  killed  whilst  lying  in  his 
tent,  a  minnie  ball  piercing  his  body.  Our  lines  now  extended 
from  the  James  River  on  our  right  to  the  Weldon  Railroad, 
and  two  miles  beyond  on  the  left,  and  daily  skirmishes  were 
taking  place. 

September  I5th,  1864.  Qth  Army  Corps,  Jno.  G.  Parke, 
Maj.  Gen.;  2nd  Div.,  Brig.  Gen.  R.  B.  Potter;  1st  Brigade, 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Jno.  I.  Curtin;  2ist  Mass.,  3  companies: 
35th  Mass.,  36th  Mass.,  38th  Mass.,  5ist  N.  Y.,  45th  Penna., 
48th  Penna.,  Major  O.  C.  Bosbyshell;  4th  R.  L,  ;th  R.  I. 
Formation  of  Brigade  at  battle  of  Pegram's  farm,  in  which  the 
regiment  lost  2  killed,  8  wounded  and  44  captured. 

On  the  3Oth  of  September  the  battle  of  Pegram's 
Farm  took  place,  in  which  the  regiment  was  very  actively 
engaged,  and  lost  sixty  men,  principally  in  prisoners. 
At  the  opening  the  regiment  was  held  in  reserve.  In  the 
progress  of  the  fight  the  line  of  the  brigade  was  broken,  which 
resulted  very  nearly  in  the  capture  of  the  entire  regiment. 
By  skillful  maneuvering  the  command  preserved  its  organiza 
tion,  although  its  lines  were  thrice  broken  by  frightened  troops 
pouring  through  them.  The  company  (F)  to  which  the  writer 
belonged  lost  seven  men,  taken  prisoners.  They  were  sent 
to  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  and  five  out  of  the  number  died  there 
through  the  inhuman  treatment  experienced  by  all  Union 
prisoners  in  rebel  prisons.* 

HORRORS   OF    REBEL    PRISON    EXPERIENCE 

*With  reference  to  the  mortality  in  the  Salisbury  rebel  prison,  I 
quote  from  Richardson's  testimony,  given  before  the  committee 
on  the  conduct  of  the  war,  on  January  30,  1865  : 

"I  am  a  Tribune  correspondent,  and  was  captured  by  the  rebels 
May  3,  1863,  at  midnight,  opposite  Vicksburg.  After  confinement  in  six 
different  prisons  I  was  sent  to  Salisbury,  N.  C,  February  3,  1864,  and 
kept  there  until  December  i8th,  when  I  escaped.  Early  in  October 
10,000  regular  war  prisoners  arrived  there ;  it  was  then  densely  crowded, 
and  a  scene  of  cruelty  and  horrors. 

"Rations  were  cut  down  and  issued  very  irregularly;  friends  out 
side  could  not  send  in  a  plate  of  food.  The  prisoners  suffered  con- 


THE  EXPLOSION  AND  ITS  RESULTS  275 

CASUALTIES    IN    THE    FORTY-EIGHTH    REGIMENT 

Miner's  Journal: 

Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants  sent  us  the  following  list  of  casualties  sus 
tained  by  the  48th  Regiment  in  battle,  September  3Oth,  before  Petersburg : 
Sergt.  Major  Henry  C.  Honsberger,  wounded. 
COMPANY  A. 

Missing. — Lewis   H.    Sterner,   Frank   W.    Simons,    Samuel    Shol- 
lenberger. 

COMPANY   B. 

Missing. — John  E.  Bubeck,  Gardner  Bell,  Jacob  Hammer,  Thomas 
Griffiths,  William  Stevenson. 

stantly  and  often  intensely  for  want  of  water,  bread  and  shelter.  The 
rebel  authorities  put  all  the  prison  hospitals  under  charge  of  my  two 
comrades  (Brown  and  Davis)  and  myself.  Our  position  enabled  us 
to  obtain  exact  and  minute  information.  Those  who  had  to  live  or 
die  on  the  prison  rations  always  suffered  from  hunger.  Very  fre 
quently  one  or  more  divisions  of  a  thousand  men  would  receive  no 
rations  for  forty-eight  hours.  The  few  who  had  money  would  pay 
from  five  to  twenty  dollars,  rebel  currency,  for  a  little  loaf  of  bread. 
Though  the  weather  was  inclement  and  snows  frequent,  some  sold 
their  coats  and  shoes  to  procure  money  to  buy  food. 

"Yet  I  was  assured  on  authority  entirely  trustworthy  that  the  great 
commissary  warehouse  near  the  prison  was  filled  with  provisions;  that 
the  commissary  found  it  difficult  to  find  storage  for  his  flour  and  meal ; 
that  when  a  subordinate  asked  the  post  commandant,  Maj.  John  H. 
Gee,  'shall  I  give  the  prisoners  full  rations?"  he  replied,  'No,  God  damn 
them!  give  them  quarter  rations.'  I  know  from  personal  observation 
that  corn  and  pork  are  very  abundant  about  Salisbury.  For  several 
weeks  the  prisoners  had  no  shelter  whatever.  They  were  all  thinly 
clad;  thousands  were  barefooted;  not  one  in  twenty  had  either  over 
coat  or  blanket;  many  hundreds  were  without  shirts,  and  hundreds 
were  without  blouses.  At  last  one  Sibley  tent  and  one  "A"  tent  were 
furnished  to  each  squad  of  one  hundred.  With  the  closest  crowding 
these  sheltered  about  one-half  of  the  prisoners.  The  rest  burrowed  in 
the  ground,  crept  under  buildings,  or  shivered  through  the  nights  in 
the  open  and  upon  the  frozen,  muddy  or  snowy  soil.  If  the  rebels  at 
the  time  of  their  capture  had  not  stolen  their  shelter  tents,  blankets, 
clothing  and  money,  they  would  have  suffered  little  from  cold.  If  the 
prison  authorities  had  permitted  a  few  hundred  of  them,  either  on 
parole,  or  under  guard,  to  cut  logs  within  two  miles  of  the  garrison,  the 
prisoners  would  gladly  have  built  comfortable  and  ample  barracks  in 
one  week. 

"The  hospitals  were  in  a  horrible  condition.  They  were  always  full 
to  overflowing  with  thousands  seeking  admission  in  vain.  More  than 
half  who  entered  the  hospitals  died  in  a  very  few  days.  The  dead, 
always  without  coffins,  were  loaded  into  a  dead  cart,  piled  upon  each 
other  like  logs  of  wood,  and  so  driven  out  to  be  thrown  in  a  trench. 

"The  simple  truth  is  that  the  rebel  authorities  at  Salisbury  are 
murdering  our  soldiers  by  cold  and  hunger,  while  they  might  easily 
supply  them  with  ample  food  and  fuel.  They  are  doing  this  systematic 
ally,  and,  I  believe,  intentionally,  for  the  purpose  of  either  forcing  our 
Government  to  an  exchange,  or  forcing  their  prisoners  into  the  rebel 
army." 


276  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

COMPANY  C. 

Missing. — Sergt.  Samuel  Wallace,  Murt  Brennan,  Charles  Dintin- 
ger,  William  Larkin. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  George  Bowman. 

Missing. — Sergt.  Henry  C.  Graeff,  George  W.  H.  Cooper,  William 
H.  Williams,  Daniel  Deitrich. 

COMPANY  E. 

Killed. — John  Darragh;  Daniel  Boyer,  killed  by  a  sharpshooter, 
October  5,  1864. 

Missing. — John  Dooley,  Edward  Magginnis. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded.— William  Ball. 

Missing. — Sergt.  Robert  Paden,  William  Fulton,  Joseph  Finley, 
William  Moore,  Michael  Walsh,  William  Koehler,  David  Miller, 
Elijah  DeFrehn. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded. — Patrick  Galligan. 

Missing. — Patrick   Grant,   Nicholas   Gross,  Joshua   Reed. 

COMPANY  H. 

Wounded. — Corporal  Henry  Fry. 

Missing. — Henry  Jones,  Joseph  Moore,  John  Halladay,  Philip 
Heffren. 

COMPANY  I. 

Killed. — James  Heiser. 

Wounded. — Benjamin  Williams,  Henry  Goodman. 

Missing. — First  Lieut.  O.  A.  J.  Davis,  Patrick  Crowe,  Joseph 
Cobus,  Lucian  Monbeck,  Nathan  Neifert,  Henry  A.  Neyman, 
William  Weirs. 

COMPANY  K. 

Missing. — George  Cross,  Thomas  Leonard,  John  Patry,  Thomas 
Fogarty. 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  277 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Later  Incidents  and  Operations  Around  Petersburg 

About  the  4th  of  October,  Colonel  Sigfried,  Major 
Bosbyshell,  Lieut.  Loeser,  Adjutant;  Lieut.  Eveland,  of  Com 
pany  A,  and  Lieut.  Boyer,  of  the  same  company,  left  for  their 
homes,  the  time  for  which  they  had  been  commissioned  having1 
expired. 

On  the  expiration  of  the  commission  of  Col.  Sigfried, 
October  n,  1864,  Lieut.  Col.  Pleasants  was  commissioned 
Colonel;  Geo.  W.  Gowen,  of  Company  C,  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
and  I.  F.  Brannan,  of  Company  K,  Major,  in  place  of  O.  C. 
Bosbyshell.  On  the  i8th  of  December,  Colonel  Pleasants' 
commission  expired,  Lieut.  Col.  Gowen  succeeding  him,  and 
Major  Brannan  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

On  October  nth  we  had  an  election.  Mayor  Strouse, 
Democratic  candidate  for  Congress  received  thirty-five  votes 
out  of  a  total  of  two  hundred  and  seventeen. 

On  the  I4th,  the  whole  division  was  ordered  out  to  wit 
ness  the  execution,  by  shooting,  of  a  deserter.  The  victim  was 
Charles  Merlin,  a  member  of  the  26.  Maryland,  of  our  brigade. 
It  was  a  very  sad  and  impressive  sight.  He  had  deserted  to 
the  enemy  and  been  captured.  He  was  tried  by  court  martial 
and  sentenced  to  be  shot.  It  was  said  at  the  time  that  his  first 
offense  was  pardoned  by  the  President,  and  he  was  restored  to 
his  command;  but  the  very  first  night  he  was  stationed  on 
picket,  he  deserted  to  the  enemy  again  and  was  captured 
in  the  rebel  ranks  by  Sheridan  in  the  Valley,  and  recognized, 
by  some  person,  as  being  the  same  man  that  had  been  recently 
pardoned.  He  was  again  tried  and  sentenced  as  stated  above. 
The  division  was  formed  in  an  open  square  and,  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  the  prisoner  was  brought  from  his  place  of 
confinement,  accompanied  by  the  Chaplain.  A  band  led  the 


278  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

procession,  playing  a  funeral  march.  In  the  rear  of  the  band 
was  a  file  of  guards,  then  the  prisoner,  then  four  men  bearing 
his  coffin,  and  after  the  coffin,  another  file  of  guards.  The  pro- 
cesssion  marched  all  around  the  inside  of  the  square  to  the 
open  end,  where  the  grave  had  been  dug.  Here  the  band  was 
dismissed,  the  coffin  placed  near  the  open  grave,  and  the 
prisoner  then  listened  to  the  charges,  findings  and  sentence 
read  to  him  by  the  provost  marshal.  He  was  then  left  with 
the  Chaplain,  who  seated  him  upon  his  coffin,  bandaged  his 
eyes,  prayed  with  him,  shook  him  by  the  hand  and  walked  to 
the  head  of  the  square.  A  detail  of  twelve  men  with  eleven 
muskets,  loaded  with  ball,  and  one  with  blank  cartridge,  were 
drawn  up  within  twenty-five  paces  of  the  victim.  The  idea  of 
having  one  musket  loaded  with  a  blank  cartridge,  was,  that 
each  one  of  the  men  might  console  himself  with  the  thought 
that  his  was  the  blank  cartridge.  The  muskets  were  loaded 
by  a  sergeant  and  distributed  to  the  men,  so  that  even  he  did 
not  know  who  held  the  musket  containing  the  blank  cart 
ridge.  At  the  word  "fire"  from  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
squad,  the  poor  fellow  fell  back  upon  his  coffin,  riddled  with 
the  bullets  of  his  comrades.  The  division  was  then  marched 
by  the  body,  whilst  it  still  lay  upon  the  coffin,  and  it  was  a  piti 
ful  sight  to  witness. 

On  the  1 5th,  with  that  fearful  example  so  fresh  in  the 
memory,  six  men  of  the  6th  New  Hampshire  were  reported 
as  having  deserted  to  the  enemy. 

On  the  1 7th  President  Lincoln,  Secretary  Stanton,  ac 
companied  by  Gen.  Grant  and  other  officials,  rode  along  the 
line  and  were  accorded  a  hearty  welcome. 

On  the  i8th  and  iQth  there  was  very  heavy  firing  on  the 
left,  caused  by  the  Fifth  Corps  coming  into  contact  with  the 
rebels.  On  the  26th  a  big  move  was  in  progress,  all  the  forts 
on  the  line  being  manned  and  supplied  with  provisions  and 
ammunition.  The  wagon-trains  were  all  ordered  to  City 
Point,  and  the  train-hands  were  mustered  and  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  take  up  arms  in  defense  of  the  trains  if  attacked. 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  279 

^HEADQUARTERS  NINTH  ARMY  CORPS. 

OFFICE  CHIEF  QUARTERMASTER,  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Lieut.  Thos.  Bohannan,  A.  R.  Q.  M.  48th  Pa.  Vols.: 

You  will  report  to  Maj.  Henry  Bowman,  Q.  M.  first  division  (com 
manding  military  organization  of  this  corps),  for  duty  as  adjutant  of 
the  command.  Respectfully, 

L.  C.  PIERCE, 

Lt.  Col.  and  Chief  Q.  M.  Ninth  Corps. 

REPULSE  AT   HATCHER'S   RUN 

On  the  28th  of  October  a  fierce  engagement  took  place 
at  Hatcher's  Run,  on  the  left,  in  which  our  troops  were  re 
pulsed,  and  in  which  the  48th  was  engaged.  The  movement 
to  break  the  rebel  right  was  a  failure,  and  all  the  troops  were 
ordered  back  to  their  original  camps,  the  48th  to  Pegram's 
farm.  The  bulk  of  the  fighting  was  done  by  the  2d  Corps,  and 
they  suffered  very  heavily. 

On  the  i8th  of  November,  we  held  an  election  for  President, 
and  the  48th  polled  two  hundred  votes  for  Lincoln  and  thirty 
for  McClellan.  The  weather  was  very  cool  now  at  night,  and 
every  morning  our  pickets  reported  great  numbers  of  rebel 
deserters.  They  were  a  sad  looking  lot,  their  appearance 
indicated  the  hollow  condition  of  the  rebellion.  They  all 
expressed  views  that  proved  the  hopelessness  of  their  cause 
and  were  glad  to  quit.  On  the  24th  was  Thanksgiving  Day, 
and  we  had  been  promised  a  feast  of  turkeys  through  the 
Christian  and  Sanitary  Commission  agencies.  The  promised 


*The  Col.  Bowman  referred  to  was  the  major  of  the  35th  Massa 
chusetts  Regiment  before  going  into  the  Quartermaster's  Department. 
After  the  war  he  came  to  Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  and  the  writer 
renewed  his  friendship  first  made  in  front  of  Petersburg.  Maj.  Bow 
man  was  originally  an  officer  in  one  of  the  Massachusetts  regiments 
that  fought  at  Balls  Bluff,  early  in  the  war.  He  was  there  taken 
prisoner  and  taken  to  Libby  prison,  and  held  as  one  of  the  hostages  for 
the  rebel  privateer  Savannah,  captured  by  the  Union  forces.  The 
prisoners  from  the  Savannah  were  arraigned  and  some  of  them  tried 
as  privateers,  but  not  convicted.  Jefferson  Davis  declared  in  a  letter  to 
President  Lincoln,  dated  July  6th,  that  he  would  retaliate  upon  our 
prisoners  any  ill-treatment  that  might  be  inflicted  upon  them.  The 
crew  was  ultimately  exchanged,  and  Maj.  Bowman  and  other  officers 
held  by  the  rebels  exchanged. 


280  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

goodies  failed  to  materialize,  but  next  day  they  all  came  to 
hand,  lots  of  'em,  with  doughnuts  and  crullers  and  other 
"fixin's,"  and  a  good  time  was  had  in  putting  them  out  of  sight. 

IN    "FORT    HELL" 

On  the  29th  of  November,  our  corps  relieved  the  2d  Corps 
and  were  put  on  the  line  from  the  Jones  House  to  the  Appo- 
mattox  River,  the  48th  being  stationed  in  Fort  Sedgwick.  It 
was  called  "Fort  Hell"  more  frequently,  having  been  so 
christened  by  the  rebels,  owing  to  its  very  warm  climate. 

A  BARGAIN  IN  "PURGATORY" 

Our  first  day  in  the  place  was  interesting,  but  in  no  way 
amusing.  The  fort  was  a  large  and  strongly-built  structure, 
with  bombproofs  erected  for  the  protection  of  the  troops. 
These  were  excavations  in  the  ground,  seven  to  nine  feet  in 
depth,  and  then  covered  with  heavy  logs,  and  these  with  tree- 
boughs,  and  the  whole  with  from  three  to  seven  feet  of  earth. 
The  rebels  had  two  forts  opposite  to  the  one  we  occupied 
named  Mahone  and  "Damnation,"  and  they  let  loose  to  wel 
come  our  coming,  to  give  us  a  house-warming,  as  it  were. 
They  commenced  early  and  quit  late.  In  Fort  "Damnation" 
the  rebels  had  two  batteries  of  ten-inch  and  twelve-inch 
mortars,  which  kept  us  busy.  Our  first  impressions  of  "Hell" 
were  not  favorable,  though  no  casualties  were  reported.  There 
were  many  nervous  men  in  the  regiment  that  day.  To 
complete  the  simile,  another,  smaller  fort  than  "Damnation," 
on  the  rebel's  side,  was  called  Mahone,  or  "Heaven,"  on 
account  of  the  little  injury  it  did  us.  These  forts  ("Hell," 
"Damnation"  and  "Heaven")  lay  across  the  Jerusalem  Plank 
Road,  while  the  picket  lines  of  both  armies — "Purgatory" — 
lay  between  them,  the  forts  being  but  a  few  hundred  yards 
apart,  while  the  picket  or  "vidette"  lines,  at  this  point  in  the 
lines,  were  about  eighty  yards  apart.  A  compact  was  entered 
into  by  the  pickets  of  both  armies,  to  the  effect,  that  firing  in 
day-light  should  cease,  to  be  resumed  at  night-fall.  This  was 
faithfully  kept,  while  conversation,  trading,  etc.,  were  fre 
quently  indulged  in  by  the  pickets. 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  281 

The  bombs  could  be  plainly  seen  the  moment  they  left  the 
mortar  on  a  clear  day  and  blue  sky.  If  you  could  not  see  it  at 
once  as  it  rose  in  the  air,  the  peculiar  wobbling-  sound  it  made 
soon  directed  your  eyes  to  its  location,  and  then  you  began 
to  speculate  how  close  it  would  come  to  you  without 
hitting  you.  We  kept  close  to  the  bombproofs  on  the 
first  day's  shelling,  as  we  thought  they  were  what  their 
name  implied,  "bombproof."  A  little  experience  taught 
us  the  truth.  After  the  first  day's  shelling,  almost  every 
exhibition  they  afterwards  gave  us  sent  one  or  more  of  the 
large  ten-inch  shells  through  the  roofs  as  a  knife  would 
penetrate  butter.  The  "bombproofs,"  so  called,  were  strongly 
constructed  and  useful;  at  night,  to  sleep  in;  by  day,  to  pro 
tect  the  men  from  fragments  of  bursting  mortar-shells. 
Usually,  the  enemy  fired  but  one  or  two  mortars  at  a  time; 
sometimes,  the  whole  battery.  One  man  or  more,  when  they 
commenced  firing,  leaped  upon  the  works;  caught  the  flash  of 
the  gun  or  guns;  looked  to  the  sky;  caught  the  shell  sailing- 
along;  noticed  where  it  may  drop;  gave  warning;  and,  with 
others,  sprang  into  the  "bomproofs"  for  shelter.  In  time,  how 
ever,  the  men  got  used  to  this  shelling,  and  paid  but  little 
attention  to  it,  with  sometimes  fatal  results. 

On  December  1st  a  new  division  was  added  to  our  corps. 
It  was  composed  entirely  of  Pennsylvanians  and  commanded 
by  Gen.  John  F.  Hartranft.  On  the  3d,  at  least  thirty  shells 
from  the  rebel  mortar  batteries  exploded  in  Fort  Hell,  and 
strange  to  say,  no  one  was  reported  injured.  On  the  8th,  the 
Second  and  Fifth  Corps  and  part  of  the  Ninth  were  moved 
to  the  rear  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  attack  on  the  Weldon 
Railroad  to  our  left.  On  the  I2th,  we  heard  that  the  Weldon 
Railroad  from  Ream's  Station  to  Weldon  had  been  destroyed 
by  our  troops,  and  they  returned  to  their  former  positions. 

On  the  loth,  we  had  another  execution,  this  time  by 
hanging.  Two  soldiers  of  the  i/9th  New  York  Regiment 
deserted  to  the  enemy;  were  apprehended;  court-martialed;  and 
sentenced  to  be  hung.  A  gallows  had  been  erected  near 
division  headquarters,  and  the  troops  were  all  formed  about 
it.  The  prisoners  were  marched  past  the  division  on  to  the 


282  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

gallows;  one  of  them  coolly  smoking  a  cigar.  They  were  led 
on  the  trap;  the  finding  and  sentence  read  to  them;  black  caps 
placed  on  their  heads ;  and  the  drop  fell.  As  the  trap  fell,  on 
which  they  stood,  their  names,  company  and  regiment,  and  the 
cause  for  which  they  were  executed,  were  seen  painted  in  bold 
letters,  so  that  all  could  plainly  read.  The  execution  was  very 
artistically  performed;  and,  after  the  division  was  marched 
past  the  suspended  bodies,  we  were  conducted  to  camp. 

On  December  the  I4th,  1864,  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
Va.,  a  sword,  sash  and  belt  was  presented  to  Captain  F.  D. 
Koch,  of  Company  "I,"  by  the  members  of  his  company, 
bearing  the  following  inscription :  "Presented  to  Captain  F. 
D.  Koch,  by  the  members  of  Co.  "I,"  48th  Penna.  Vet.  Vols., 
Dec.  I3th,  1864."  Charles  C.  Wagner  presented  the  sword  in 
behalf  of  the  company;  and  it  was  received  by  the  Captain 
in  a  very  appropriate  speech. 

On  the  i6th,  we  had  lots  of  good  news:  Sherman  was  in 
Savannah;  Thomas  had  annihilated  Hood's  army  at  Nashville; 
and  Butler  was  shoving  his  powder  boat  off  at  Fort  Fisher. 

By  General  order,  dated  Dec.  24th,  1864,  issued  by 
General  Parke,  commanding  Qth  Army  Corps,  the  following 
named  soldiers  were  awarded  medals  of  honor  by  Congress, 
for  "gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  field:"  Corporal 
Patrick  Monaghan,  Co.  "F,"  48th  P.  V.  V. ;  Private  Robert 
Reid,  Co.  "G,"  48th  P.  V.  V. 

These  medals  are  indeed  a  permanent  and  substantial 
honor,  of  which  the  wearers  may  be  ever  so  proud. 

We  had  hard  shelling  all  afternoon  of  the  iQth.  A  large 
shell  exploded  in  one  of  the  "bombproofs"  of  Co.  D,  wounding 
quite  a  number  of  the  men,  one  of  them,  named  George  Harts, 
who  died  on  the  following  day.  Again,  on  the  28th,  they  treated 
us  to  liberal  doses  of  ten-inch  mortar  "pills,"  and  ten  men  of 
the  regiment  were  wounded:  one,  named  George  Deutzer,  of 
Co.  K,  died  the  same  evening. 

December  3ist,  1864.  Qth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  O.  B. 
Wilcox.  2nd  Division,  Maj.  Gen.  R.  B.  Potter.  1st  Brigade, 
Brevet  Gen.  Jno.  I.  Curtin.  48th  Penna.  Vols.,  Lieut.  Col. 
Geo.  W.  Gowen. 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  283 

NEW  YEAR'S   DAY,  1865 

The  new  year  opened  up  very  cold;  but  we  were  very 
comfortable,  as  far  as  the  weather  was  concerned.  Not  a 
shot  was  fired  by  our  side  on  this  day,  by  order  of  Gen.  Grant. 

The  following  additional  casualities  we  received  from  the 
officers  commanding  companies,  after  the  regiment  reached 
Petersburg: 

COMPANY  A. 

[The  following  are  up  to  September  I2th,  1864.] 
Killed. — Lewis  Hessinger,  at  Petersburg,  June  22nd. 
Wounded.— Lewis    R.    Loye,    severely,    Aug.    loth,    in    front    of 
Petersburg.    Israel  Britton,  June  7th,  at  Cold  Harbor.    Jabez  McFarlin, 

Tune  7th,  at  Cold  Harbor. 

COMPANY  B. 

[The  following  are  up  to  September  :2th.] 

Wounded. — William  R.  Brooks,  June  25th,  before  Petersburg. 
Henry  Shoppel,  May  6th,  Battle  of  Wilderness. 

COMPANY  C. 

[The  following  are  up  to  September  I2th.] 

Killed. — Abraham  A.  Acker,  June  23rd,  in  front  of  Petersburg. 
John  Whittaker,  June  23rd,  in  front  of  Petersburg. 

Wounded. — Andrew  Dunleavy,  June  iQth,  near  Petersburg.  Wil 
liam  Demmerce,  August  3rd,  in  front  of  Petersburg. 

COMPANY  D. 

Killed. — Henry  Dorward,  Daniel  Okon. 

Wounded. — James  L.  Baum,  Jacob  Derr,  Nathan  Kessler, 
John  D.  Weikel. 

COMPANY  E. 

[The    following   are    up   to    October.] 

Killed. — Daniel  Boyer,  Oct.  5th,  at  Pegram's  Farm.  John  Danagh, 
Sept.  30th,  at  Pegram's  Farm. 

Wounded. — Corporal  Samuel  Clemens,  May  16,  before  Peters 
burg.  Corporal  Wm.  J.  Morgan,  May  12,  at  Spottsylvania.  Corporal 
Robert  Penman,  June  8,  near  Cold  Harbor.  Corporal  John  Mercer, 
June  7th,  near  Cold  Harbor.  Cornelius  Dress,  June  6th,  near  Cold 
Harbor.  Patrick  Grant,  June  27th,  Wore  Petersburg,  leg  amputated. 
Wm.  McElrath,  Sept.  nth,  near  Weldon  Railroad,  Va.  John  Murry, 
June  I7th,  before  Petersburg.  John  McRay,  June  i8th,  near  Peters 
burg.  Daniel  E.  Reedy,  June  3d,  at  Shady  Grove  Church,  Va.— [The 
report  to  us  of  the  case  of  Reedy,  is  as  follows:  "Supposed  to  have 
died  on  board  the  steamer,  bound  north  from  White  House,  Va.  Five 
Minnie  balls  pased  through  him,  two  through  right  leg,  one  through  left 


284  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

leg,  one  through  right  arm,  and  one  through  right  breast;  right  leg 
amputated  below  upper  wound."] — Abraham  Sigmund,  June  3rd,  at 
Shady  Grove  Church,  Va.  Anthony  Wade,  June  8th,  near  Cold  Harbor. 
John  Watson,  June  27th,  at  mine  before  Petersburg. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed. — Wm.  Smith,  June  23rd,  at  Shady  Grove. 

Wounded. — Captain  Joseph  H.  Hoskings,  August  3rd,  before 
Petersburg.  Wm.  Duffy,  June  pth,  at  Shady  Grove,  Va.  Hamilton 
Hause,  July  2nd,  before  Petersburg. 

COMPANY  G. 

Killed. — William  Simpson,  June  26th,  before  Petersburg. 
Wounded. — Patrick    Cunningham,    May    I2th,    at    Spottsylvania 
Court  House. 

COMPANY  H. 

[The  following  are  up  to  September  8th.] 

Killed. — Second  Lieut.  David  B.  Brown,  August  5th,  near 
Petersburg. 

Wounded. — Job  Hirst,  June  26th,  before  Petersburg.  John 
Lloyd,  August  3rd,  before  Petersburg.  Wm.  Schneider,  July  29th,  near 
Petersburg.  Samuel  T.  Skeen,  June  23rd,  near  Petersburg. 

COMPANY  I. 

[The  following  are  up  to  August  26th.] 

Wounded. — Isaac  Botz,  June  3rd,  at  Shady  Grove.  Charles  H. 
Good,  June  3rd,  at  Shady  Grove.  Martin  Dooley,  June  3rd,  at  Shady 
Grove.  Thos.  J.  Reed,  June  3rd,  at  Shady  Grove.  Jos.  Gilbert,  June  15. 
John  Umbenhocker,  July  30th. 

COMPANY  K. 

[The  following  are  up  to  January  I,  1865.] 
Killed.— John  F.  Dentzer,  Dec.  28th,  at  Fort  Sedgwick,  Va. 
Wounded. — Sergt  Wm.  Laubenstine,  August  Qth.    John  Bartolet, 

June  27th,  before   Petersburg.     Ephraim  Whetstone,  June  23rd,  near 

Petersburg. 

On  Jan.  2nd,  however,  we  had  a  perfect  shower  of  shells, 
wounding  quite  a  number  of  the  48th  and  several  members  of 
the  96th  Pennsylvania,  who  were  paying  a  visit  to  some  of 
their  acquaintances,  and  were  in  the  fort  at  the  time.  William 
Livingstone,  of  Company  C,  of  the  48th,  was  killed  during- 
the  shelling. 

On  the  3d  and  4th,  it  snowed  pretty  hard,  and  on  the  5th, 
there  came  a  thaw  which  made  life  pretty  miserable  in  the 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  285 

camps  and  trenches.  On  the  night  of  the  24th,  there  was  heavy 
firing  in  the  direction  of  the  James  River,  and  we  ascertained 
the  next  morning  that  it  was  caused  by  an  attack  of  a  rebel 
ram  on  our  fleet  at  City  Point.  The  attack  was  a  very  weak 
one,  it  was  reported,  and  easily  repulsed. 

During  the  last  week  news  was  received  of  the  fall  of  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.,  and  the  capture  of  Charleston  and  Columbia, 
with  a  large  number  of  prisoners  and  quantities  of  ordnance. 
Every  night,  the  half-frozen  and  repentant  rebels,  in  large 
numbers,  made  their  appearance  on  our  picket  line,  and  were 
sent  to  the  rear.  The  picket  lines  at  this  point  are  very  close 
together,  and  a  person  could  with  ease  throw  a  brick  from 
one  line  to  the  other,  and,  for  this  reason,  the  desertions  were 
more  numerous  just  at  this  point.  On  the  25th,  a  shotted 
salute  of  one  hundred  guns  was  fired  by  order  of  Gen.  Grant 
to  celebrate  the  fall  of  Wilmington,  N.  C.  This  salute  was 
responded  to  by  the  rebel  artillery,  and  a  lively  time  was  had, 
during  its  continuance,  in  "dodging"  mortar  shells.  There  was 
hardly  a  day  passed  but  what  we  were  under  fire.  The  rebels 
seemed  to  take  a  special  delight  in  showing  their  skill  in 
artillery,  firing  for  our  especial  benefit,  and  we  were  disgusted 
with  their  attention,  and  had  no  admiration  for  the  accuracy 
of  their  aim. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  the  35th  Massachusetts  relieved 
the  48th  in  Fort  Hell,  and  we  then  occupied  the  place  they 
vacated  on  the  line.  After  leaving  the  fort,  the  Regiment  went 
into  camp  in  the  rear  of  the  line,  about  an  eighth  of  a  mile, 
near  Hancock  Station  on  Grants  Railroad,  while  it  still 
did  duty  in  the  front,  sending  out  details  for  that 
purpose.  Great  activity  prevailed  along  our  front  about 
this  time.  Our  lines  were  lengthened  and  strength 
ened,  and  a  move  of  some  moment  seemed  about  to  be 
inaugurated.  Many  rumors  were  flying  about,  but  nothing 
of  any  interest  took  place  until  the  25th,  when  the  rebels 
undertook  to  destroy  Grant's  army  by  breaking  the  lines  at 
Meade  Station  and  then  to  capture  City  Point,  the  base  of 
supplies,  and  destroy  the  shipping.  Just  at  daybreak  they 
penetrated  our  lines  at  Fort  Steadman,  directly  in  front  of 


OPERATIONS  AROUND  PETERSBURG  287 

Petersburg,  which  was  held  by  a  portion  of  the  first  division  of 
the  9th  Corps. 

The  blow  was  struck  by  Gen.  Gordon  with  two  divisions, 
while  20,000  more  men  were  massed  to  follow  up  the  assault 
in  case  an  opening  was  made  at  Fort  Steadman,  and  the  crest 
in  its  rear  was  gained.  Early  in  the  morning  an  officer  had 
made  the  rounds  and  found  the  men  on  the  picket  line 
alert,  and  unsuspicious  of  any  attack.  Gordon's  troops 
were  assembled  at  a  point  between  Fort  Steadman  and 
Battery  19,  where  the  lines  were  very  close.  Gen.  Gordon 
knew  that  this  was  a  favorable  place  for  deserters  making 
their  way  to  the  Union  lines,  and  he  sent  his  pickets,  with  their 
arms,  creeping  through  to  the  Union  pickets. 

PICKETS  TRICKED 

Squad  after  squad  passed  through,  announcing  them 
selves  as  deserters;  and,  when  a  sufficient  number  of  them 
had  accumulated,  they  dashed  upon  the  pickets,  overpowered 
and  sent  them  to  the  rear  as  prisoners. 

This  line,  from  the  Appomattox  on  the  right  to  Cemetery 
Hill  on  the  left,  was  garrisoned  by  the  first  division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps,  commanded  by  Gen.  O.  B.  Wilcox.  The  fort 
facing  Cemetery  Hill  was  Morton,  a  bastioned  work  high  and 
impregnable.  The  next  one  down  the  line  to  the  right  was 
Haskell,  a  small  field  redoubt,  mounting  six  guns,  and  holding 
a  small  infantry  garrison.  Eighty  rods  still  farther  to  the  right 
was  Steadman,  stronger  than  Haskell.  Two  hundred  rods 
from  Steadman  was  McGilvery,  near  the  river,  and  out  of 
range  of  Lee's  heavy  ordnance.  These  works  were  connected 
by  trenches,  and  the  picket  line  outside  of  this  line,  about 
forty  rods  from  the  rebel  picket  line  at  Fort  Steadman,  was 
selected  by  Gen.  Gordon  as  the  most  favorable  place  to  make 
the  assault. 

NEW,    BUT    GALLANT,    PENNSYLVANIANS 

They  took  several  batteries  and  turned  the  guns  upon 
our  troops  and  had  things  pretty  much  their  own  way.  For 
an  hour  or  so  it  looked  as  though  they  were  going  to  succeed 
in  their  attempt;  but  our  troops  were  getting  into  position 


288  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

for  an  assault,  and  the  fourth  division,  composed  entirely  of 
Pennsylvania  troops,  led  by  the  intrepid  Hartranft,  made,  at 
the  proper  time,  an  assault  upon  them  that  sent  them  howling' 
to  their  lines  and  glad  to  get  there.  This  was  a  splendid 
and  well  conducted  movement  of  Hartranft's  division.  His 
men  were  composed  of  new  regiments,  unused  to  battle;  but 
under  this  splendid  officer's  handling,  they  performed  their 
work  like  veterans  and  won  imperishable  renown.  He  worked 
them  in  by  echelon,  regiment  by  regiment,  cutting  the  enemy 
out  as  he  advanced,  until,  getting  partly  in  their  rear,  he 
charged  Fort  Steadman,  recaptured  it,  and  the  work  was  done. 
A  great  many  of  them,  about  three  thousand,  were  captured, 
and  hundreds  of  their  dead  and  wounded  strewed  the  field. 
It  was  a  very  .costly  experiment  for  them,  and  added  great 
lustre  to  Hartranft's  reputation  as  a  commander  and  a  fighter. 
General  Grant  and  President  Lincoln,  when  the  fight  com 
menced,  went  down  to  the  left,  to  Hatcher's  Run,  in  a  railroad 
car,  leaving  Hartranft  to  fight  it  out;  when  they  returned, 
it  was  all  over,  and,  before  the  smoke  of  battle  had  been 
washed  from  his  face,  the  gallant  and  modest  Hartranft  had 
been  complimented  by  Lincoln,  and  made  a  Major  General 
on  the  field  a  very  unusual  compliment.  The  rebel  troops 
that  made  the  assault  were  of  Gordon's  division,  and  had  been 
brought  from  Hatcher's  Run  the  night  previous. 

On  the  2Qth,  at  about  ten  o'clock  at  night,  the  rebel 
batteries  on  Cemetery  Hill,  Chesterfield,  and  the  "Gooseneck," 
opened  upon  us  with  all  their  available  artillery.  Our  bat 
teries  promptly  responded  and  kept  it  up  until  about  twelve 
o'clock;  when  a  heavy  rain  set  in,  and  put  an  end  to  the  duel. 
While  it  lasted  it  was  a  beautiful  display  of  fireworks.  Every 
shell  could  be  traced  in  its  course  through  the  sky  by  its 
burning  fuse.  Though  attended  by  some  danger,  the  sight 
was  enjoyed  by  all  who  witnessed  it. 

On  the  30th,  the  regiment  presented  Col.  George  W. 
Gowen  with  a  beautiful  horse  and  full  set  of  equipments.  The 
Colonel  in  a  short  speech  thanked  the  donors  and  said  he 
would  try  to  deserve  the  good  opinion  the  regiment  expressed 
in  the  presentation  of  the  very  useful  gifts. 


THE   ASSAULT   ON   FORT   MAHONE  289 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Assault  on  Fort  Mahone 

On  the  3  ist,  hard  fighting  was  going  on  and  was  con 
tinued  until  the  ist  of  April.  We  had  no  part  in  this  conflict, 
it  being  confined  to  the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  but,  on  the 
morning  of  the  2d,  our  time  had  come,  and,  at  daylight,  an 
advance  was  ordered  upon  the  rebel  fort,  Mahone,  imme 
diately  in  our  front.  Col.  Gowen  led  the  regiment  in  the 
attack,  being  well  to  the  front,  and  had  gone  but  a  short 
distance  when  he  was  struck  in  the  face  by  a  shell  and  instantly 

DEATH  OF  COLONEL  GOWEN 

killed.  One  side  of  his  head  was  completely  torn  away.  His 
body  was  carried  back  to  his  quarters,  where  his  faithful  body- 
servant,  Billy  Fitzpatrick,  safely  guarded  it  until  it  was  taken 
in  charge  by  Lieut.  Parry,  of  the  navy,  who  was  an  intimate 
friend  of  the  family.  He  delivered  his  body  to  his  friends  in 
Philadelphia  for  burial. 

I.  F.  Brannan  was  now  colonel;  Richard  Jones,  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  Jacob  Wagner,  major.  Brannan  had  gone  into 
the  service  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  K.  Jones  was 
originally  a  sergeant  of  Company  G,  and  Wagner  enlisted  as 
a  private  in  Company  H.  The  fighting  continued  lively  all 
day,  but  as  night  approached  had  about  ceased,  leaving  our 
army  victorious  at  every  point.  Our  regiment  lost  very  heavily 
in  killed  and  wounded  and  had  a  warm  place  during  the  whole 
fight. 

The  final  assault  and  capture  of  Petersburg  commenced 
in  our  front,  at  daybreak  of  the  2d  of  April.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  moved  to  the  left, 
leaving  the  9th  Corps  alone  on  the  Petersburg  front.  On  the 
day  previous  Sheridan  had  defeated  a  strong  rebel  force  at 
Five  Forks,  and  Gen.  Parke  had  orders  to  assault  from  his 
position  at  daybreak.  Parke  commanded  the  Qth  Corps. 

19 


290  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Orders  had  been  issued  on  the  night  of  the  1st  that  all 
batteries  on  the  line  should  open  their  guns  to  cover  the 
advance  of  the  infantry.  The  roar  of  the  signal  gun  at  the 
Avery  house  found  all  the  artillerymen  at  their  posts  and 
anxious  to  end  the  war.  The  bombardment  grew  furious  as 
it  increased  along  the  whole  line,  from  north  of  Petersburg 
to  Hatcher's  Run.  The  rebel  guns  replied  with  vigor,  and 
this  bombardment  was  the  most  terrific  experienced  on  that 
front.  The  sight  was  one  rarely  seen.  From  hundreds  of 
cannons,  field  guns  and  mortars  came  a  stream  of  living  fire 
as  the  shells  screamed  through  the  air  in  a  semi-circle  of 
flame,  the  noise  was  almost  deafening. 

The  Ninth  Corps  had  orders  to  assault  at  four  o'clock, 
but  it  was  yet  so  dark,  at  that  time,  that  the  troops  could  not 
see  to  move;  so  the  bombardment  was  kept  up  until  it  was 
light  enough  for  the  movement. 

Potter's  Division,  the  48th  Regiment  leading,  assaulted 
to  the  left  from  Fort  Sedgwick;  each  column  was  accompanied 
by  pioneers  with  axes,  to  cut  away  the  abattis  and  chevaux- 
de-frise.  The  troops,  eager  to  be  avenged  for  the  repulse  at 
the  explosion  of  the  mine  eight  months  before,  fought  like 
demons;  and,  in  the  teeth  of  the  storm  of  grape,  canister  and 
musketry,  plunged  into  the  field  and  charged  without  flinching, 
until  they  reached  the  inside  of  the  enemy's  lines. 

The  assault  by  Sheridan  on  the  far  left,  and  Wright 
between,  had  met  with  such  success  that  there  was  no  need 
for  the  9th  Corps  to  carry  the  lines  opposed  to  them  at  that 
time,  as  the  fate  of  Petersburg  had  already  been  sealed.  Parke 
was  directed  not  to  advance  unless  he  was  certain  of  success; 
but  to  hold  what  ground  he  had,  and  to  strengthen  it. 

Col.  G.  W.  Gowen,  of  the  48th,  was  killed  in  this  assault. 
Sergeant  P.  H.  Monaghan,  of  Co.  F,  says:  "In  the  doubling  up 
on  the  centre,  I  found  myself  with  the  colors,  and,  on  reaching 
the  abattis  in  front  of  Fort  Mahone,  we  halted  to  remove  the 
obstructions;  and,  while  doing  this,  our  regimental  front  was 
rapidly  diminishing.  I  saw.  Col.  Gowen  step  to  the  side  of 
Sam  Beddall,  one  of  the  Color  Sergeants,  lean  over,  and 
speak  to  him.  My  impression  was  that  Sam  was  hurt,  and  I 


Col.  Geo.  W.  Gowen. 
Killed  April  2nd,  1865.   Petersburg,  Va. 


THE  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE  293 

stepped  to  the  side  of  the  Colonel  to  take  the  colors,  if  such 
was  the  case.  The  Colonel  straightened  up,  and  I  moved  a 
step  out  of  his  way,  when  a  shell,  hot  from  the  mouth  of  one 
of  the  rebel  guns  of  Fort  Mahone,  exploded  in  our  midst.  The 
Colonel  fell  on  his  face ;  I  turned  him  over  on  his  back,  and  saw 
that  half  of  his  face  was  carried  away.  He  was  killed  instantly. 
Myself  and  two  others  of  the  regiment  carried  him  back  to 
the  rebel  picket  line,  where  we  were  relieved  by  others,  and 
returned  to  the  front;  joined  the  colors,  and  entered  Fort 
Mahone  by  way  of  the  embrasure  from  which  the  shell  had 
been  fired  that  killed  Colonel  Gowen." 

THE  DEATH  OF  COLONEL  GEO.  W.  GOWEN 

On  the  evening  of  April  ist,  1865,  General  John  I. 
Curtin,  now  living1  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  commanded  the 
ist  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  of  the  9th  Corps,  to  which 
our  48th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I.,  Colonel  George  W.  Gowen 
commanding,  belonged.  At  that  date,  the  regiment  occupied 
a  strong  fort  on  the  Union  lines  around  Petersburg,  Va., 
known  as  Fort  Sedgwick.  This  position  they  held  the  whole 
of  the  previous  winter.  Immediately  in  their  front,  the 
Confederates  held  a  likewise  strong  and  commanding  fort, 
known  as  Fort  Mahone. 

These  two  forts  were  only  a  short  distance  apart,  and 
about  twenty-five  yards  in  front  of  each  was  a  strong  line 
of  abattis,  which  was  made  from  trees  set  in  the  ground 
at  an  angle,  the  limbs  being  pointed  and  facing  outward  and 
held  together  in  various  ways,  and  when  well  constructed 
with  an  alert  enemy  at  a  suitable  distance  behind  they  are 
very  formidable.  Besides  this  abattis,  was  an  additional 
obstruction  of  chevaux-de-frise,  which  is  constructed  as  fol 
lows:  good  sized  timber— round  or  square — through  which 
are  bored  holes,  some  six  or  eight  inches  apart  and  in  opposite 
directions.  When  bored,  stout  sharp-pointed  wooden  bars, 
about  two  inches  thick,  were  forced,  forming,  when  complete, 
a  four-pronged  obstruction  resting  upon  two  of  the  prongs. 
To  complete  the  obstructive  line,  these  were  wired  together  at 
the  ends  of  the  logs,  forming  a  very  strong  defense  and  hard 
to  remove. 


294  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

On  the  night  of  April  1st,  1865,  General  Curtin  sum 
moned  the  commanding  officers  of  the  different  regiments 
of  his  brigade  to  his  headquarters,  and  there  told  each  one 
of  the  duty  assigned  them  on  the  following  morning,  when 
it  was  the  intention  to  storm  Fort  Mahone  and  break  the 
enemy's  lines  around  Petersburg. 

After  all  arrangements  had  been  completed  for  the 
morrow  and  these  officers,  before  leaving  for  their  various 
commands,  shook  hands  with  their  General,  Col.  Gowen, 
who  had  served  on  staff  duty  during  the  whole  of  Grant's 
campaign,  and  being  personally  well  acquainted  with  Curtin, 
also  bade  him  good-bye  and  told  him  in  doing  so,  that  to-mor 
row  would  be  his  last  battle.  The  General  tried  to  disabuse 
his  mind  of  this  feeling  and  offered  to  place  him  with  his  48th 
Regiment  on  reserve,  and  put  another  regiment  to  lead  the 
assault,  but  Gowen  would  not  have  it  so,  and  insisted  in 
taking  the  place  assigned. 

On  the  following  morning,  April  2nd,  at  the  appointed 
time,  about  daylight,  all  were  ready  for  the  fray.  When 
the  signal  was  given,  the  brave  regiment  with  its  young 
Colonel  rushed  through  its  own  abattis,  which  had  been 
prepared  with  openings,  made  during  the  night,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  were  over  the  intervening  s-pace  and  up  against 
the  abattis  of  the  enemy. 

When  the  men  of  the  regiment  became  somewhat 
confused  by  the  enforced  halt  in  removing  the  obstructions, 
during  all  of  which  time  the  enemy  poured  a  destructive 
fire  both  from  infantry  and  artilhry  upon  them,  the  Colonel 
in  their  midst  was  encouraging  them  to  move  forward  when  a 
shell  exploded  directly  over  him,  killing  him  on  the  spot.  A 
few  brave  spirits  succeeded  in  entering  the  fort,  but  were 
taken  prisoners  by  the  enemy.  It  was  only  after  further 
severe  fighting  that  the  fort  was  finally  taken  and  held  against 
repeated  efforts  of  the  enemy  to  retake  it. 

FORTY-EIGHTH'S   LAST  FIGHT 

This  was  the  last  battle  of  the  48th  Regiment  in  the 
Civil  War,  as  well  as  that  of  its  much  beloved  Colonel. 


THE  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE  295 

Here  it  met  its  saddest  and  greatest  loss,  and,  as  he  told 
General  Curtin  the  night  before,  it  was  indeed  his  last  battle, 
and  it  is  near  the  spot  where  he  fell  in  front  of  Fort  Mahone 
where  the  survivors  of  the  gallant  regiment  have  secured 
ground  and  propose  erecting  a  monument  in  memory  of 
their  dead  comrades  and  their  brave  Colonel,  who  was 
indeed  "above  fear  and  beyond  reproach."  R. 

CASUALTIES    OF   THE    FORTY-EIGHTH    REGIMENT    IN 
THE  CLOSING  CAMPAIGN 

Miner's  Journal: 

On  the  29th  of  December,  1.864,  Major  I.  F.  Brarman,  commanding 
in  regiment,  wrote  to  us  as  follows : 

HEADQUARTERS,  48x11  REG'T.,  P.  V.  V. 

FORT   SEDGWICK,  VA.,  DEC.  29,   1864. 

Yesterday  afternoon  our  regiment  received  a  very  severe  shelling 
from  the  rebel  mortar  batteries  in  our  front.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  our  casualties : 

COMPANY  B. 

Wounded. — Corporal  Joseph  Rarig,  John  Yonker. 

COMPANY  C. 
Wounded. — Robert  Rogers. 

COMPANY  G. 
Wounded. — John  Kauter,  Charles  H.  May. 

COMPANY  K. 
Killed. — Corporal  John  F.  Dentzer. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
I.  F.  BRANNAN, 
Major  Commanding  Rcg't. 

JANUARY  2,  1865. — Corporal  William  Levison,  Co.  C,  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  sixty-four  pound  mortar  shell  coming  through  his  quarters 
in  Fort  Sedgwick.  Fragments  of  the  same  shell  wounded  Lieutenant 
James  Clark  of  the  same  company. 

CHARGE  UPON  THE  REBEL  FORTIFICATIONS  AT 
PETERSBURG 

On  Sunday,  April  2,  1865,  the  Forty-eighth  led  the  charge 
made  by  the  Ninth  Corps  upon  the  earthworks  defending  the 
City  of  Petersburg.  The  Regiment  was  led  by  its  brave 


296  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Colonel,  Geo.  W.  Gowen.  As  he  reached  the  obstructions  of 
Fort  Mahone  waving  his  sword,  he  was  instantly  killed  by  a 
piece  of  shell. 

The  grief  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Forty-eighth,  at 
the  death  of  their  Colonel,  found  expression  in  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions  adopted  at  a  meeting  held  at  Farm- 
ville,  Va.,  April  i5th,  1865: 

WHEREAS,  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  remove  from  our 
midst,  our  late  Colonel,  George  W.  Gowen,  who  was  killed  while  gal 
lantly  leading  his  command  in  the  assault  upon  the  rebel  works  before 
Petersburg,  Va.,  April  2d,  1865,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  although  we  bow  with  submission  to  the  Divine 
will,  which  has  taken  him  from  amongst  us,  yet  we  cannot  restrain  an 
expression  of  the  feeling  of  deep  regret  entertained  by  this  regiment 
at  his  death. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Colonel  Gowen,  this  regiment  has 
sustained  a  loss  which  can  never  be  repaired,  inasmuch,  that  he  pos 
sessed  the  rare  qualities  of  the  perfect  gentleman,  united  with  those  of 
the  brave  and  efficient  officer.  Ever  attentive  to  the  innumerable  wants 
of  his  command,  courteous  to  those  with  whom  he  had  intercourse,  and 
displaying  to  all  a  kindness  of  heart  seldom  to  be  met  with  in  the  army. 
Resolved,  That  the  sincere  sympathies  of  this  command  are 
hereby  tendered  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

CAPT.  R.  M.  JONES,  Co.  G, 
"      F.  D.  KOCH,   Co.   I, 
"     F.  P.  WILLIAMS,    Co.    B, 

Committee. 

The  casualities  sustained  in  the  charge  by  the  regiment  were 
as  follows : 

Killed. — Col.  George  W.  Gowen,  struck  with  piece  of  shell. 

COMPANY  A. 
Wounded. — John  Adams. 

COMPANY    B. 

Killed. — Sergeant  John  Horner. 

Wounded. — First  Sergt.  John  Watkins,  Sergt.  Robert  Campbell, 
William  H.  Ward,  Robert  Jones. 

Missing. — Sergt.  Isaac  L.  Fritz,  William  Reppert,  Michael  Kings- 
ley,  Nicholas  Stephens,  Lewis  Kleckner,  Henry  Rinker,  Daniel  Hurley. 

COMPANY  C. 

Wounded. — George   S.    Seibert,   Corp.   James   Nicholson,   Casper 
Groduvannt,  Albert  Kurtz,  James  F.  Martin,  Paul  Dehne. 
Missing. — Corp.  James  Hanan. 


THE  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE  297 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded. — Sergt.  Henry  Rothenberger,  Corp.  Levi  Derr,  Aaron 
P.  Wagner,  Jacob  Schmidt,  E.  McGuire,  Joseph  Buddinger,  Chester 
Phillips,  Thomas  Whische. 

Missing. — Samuel  Kessler. 

COMPANY  E. 

Killed.— Daniel  D.  Barnet. 

Wounded. — Corp.  Wm.  I.  Morgan,  Wm.  C.  James,  Robert 
Meredith,  Frederick  O.  Goodwin,  Thomas  Hays. 

Missing. — First  Sergt.  John  C.  McElrath,  Corp.  Geo.  W.  James, 
Daniel  McGeary,  John  O'Neil. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed.— David  W.  McElvie. 

Wounded. — Second  Lieut.  Henry  Reese,  Sergt.  William  J.  Wells, 
Corporal  John  Devlin,  James  Dempsey,  John  Crawford. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded. — Peter  Bailey,  John  Droble,  Patrick  Daley,  Nicholas 
Feers,  Thomas  Howell,  Thomas  Smith,  John  Wright,  George  Kane, 
First  Liuet.  William  Auman. 

Missing. — Patrick  Galligan. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed. — James  King,  William  .Donnelly,  George  Uhl. 

Wounded.— Sergt.  P.  Radelberger,  Willoughby  Lentz,  Geo.  E. 
Lewis,  Benjamin  Koller,  Corp.  Henry  C.  Matthews,  2nd  Lieut.  Thomas 
H.  Silliman. 

COMPANY  I. 

Killed. — Albert   Mack,   Albert  Zimmerman,   Wesley   Boyer. 

Wounded. — Jonathan  Mowery,  Charles  C.  Wagner,  Joseph 
Shoener,  John  Road,  Henry  Goodman. 

Missing. — Sergt.  James  McRevnolds,  James  Mullen,  Theodore 
Pletz,  John  Oats,  Thomas  J.  Reed,  Jacob  Reichmine. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded. — S.  Hoffman,  Benjamin  Kline,  Paul  Snyder,  Jacob 
Ebert,  David  Philips,  Jno.  Williams,  Joseph  Wildermuth. 

Missing. — William  Pelton,  John  Marshall,  George  Showers. 

The  first  regiment  to  enter  Petersburg  was  the  5oth  Pennsylvania, 
in  which  there  were  quite  a  number  of  men  from  Schuylkill  County. 


298  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

P.  S.  This  battle  was  fought  on  Sunday,  early  in  the 
morning.  When  preparing  and  about  ready  to  start  on  the 
charge,  when  every  man  was  silent  and  had  his  own  serious 
thoughts,  some  irrepressible  Irishman  from  Co.  "C"  sung 
out,  so  that  almost  every  man  in  the  regiment  heard,  "Bys, 
we're  going  to  early  mass,"  which  caused  the  boys  to  laugh 
when  they  did  not  feel  much  like  it.  R. 

THE  FORTY-EIGHTH  PA.  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE 

Sergeant  Wells  says: 

"Shortly  after  midnight  of  April  ist,  a  general  alarm 
opened  all  along  the  line  from  right  to  left.  This  was  evi 
dently  a  movement  of  the  enemy,  who,  being  so  fiercely  at 
tacked  on  their  right  by  the  flanking  movement  of  the 
Cavalry  under  Sheridan  and  the  Fifth  Corps  under  Warren, 
determined  to  ascertain  the  strength  of  the  Union  force  in 
his  front.  The  long  roll  was  sounded,  and  the  48th,  aroused 
from  their  slumbers  so  suddenly,  soon,  very  soon,  sprang  into 
line  and  were  quickly  moved  forward  from  their  camp  in  the 
rear  to  a  position  on  the  main  line  to  the  right  of  Fort  "Hell" 
(Sedgwick),  where  they  lay  strung  along  the  line.  During  the 
two  or  three  hours  thus  located,  a  most  terrific  Artillery  duel 
took  place,  the  infantry  of  both  sides  doing  practically  no 
thing.  While  thus  engaged  two  mortar  shells,  one  union, 
one  rebel,  met  in  midair,  just  in  side-contact  evidently,  as 
both  were  seen,  by  the  burning  fuse,  to  whirl  in  a  circle,  then 
to  burst  between  the  lines.  The  sight  was  significant  and 
portended  the  bloody  scenes  so  soon  to  follow. 

"The  48th  was  relieved  by  a  portion  of  Hartranft's  Division 
and  returned  to  camp,  but  only  to  receive  'three  days'  rations 
of  sugar,  coffee  and  hard  bread.7  The  cooks  had  hurriedly 
prepared  the  coffee  and  the  men  eagerly  tried  to  drink  it  burn 
ing  hot,  but,  before  being  enabled  so  to  do,  were  compelled 
to  fall  in  and  move  through  the  dug-out  wagon-way,  march 
ing  through  water  and  mud  up  to  their  knees,  the  result  of 
recent  heavy  rains;  then,  moving  rapidly  forward,  the  Union 
line  of  abattis  and  cheval-de-friese  \vas  soon  passed,  and,  in 
line  of  battle,  quickly  advanced  to  their  own  picket  line, 


THE  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE  299 

'purgatory,'  which  was  soon  reached,  being  impeded,  however, 
by  a  temporary  delay  caused  by  a  depression  in  the  field  in 
which  many  sought  shelter  from  the  terrific  storm  of  shot, 
shell,  and  bullet  which  now  so  continously  swept  the  field, 
the  enemy  evidently  divining  the  movement.  After  a  brief 
rest,  the  regiment  again  advanced  on  the  jump  for  the  rebel 
picket  line  and  as  promptly  captured  it,  using  the  refuse  side 
of  the  works  as  a  temporary  shelter. 

"Now  came  the  'tug  of  war.'  Directly  in  front  was  Fort 
Mahone,  and  about  two  hundred  feet  in  advance. 
After  a  short  rest  the  regiment  sprang  forward  with  their 
usual  celerity  square  up  to  a  double  line  of  clieval-de-friese 
and  abattis  which  formed  a  very  formidable  obstruction.  Here 
the  regiment  was  massed,  seeking  a  passage  and  forcing 
their  way  through  as  fast  as  the  pioneers  cut  away  the  ob 
structions,  the  most  forward,  gallantly  leading  his  men,  being; 
Colonel  Gowen  who,  as  elsewhere  described,  fell  at  the  mo 
ment  of  contact,  nobly,  gallantly  fell  in  the  expiring  throes 
of  armed  rebellion. 

"The  inevitable  ensued.  Unable  to  pass  beyond  the 
obstructions,  the  men  assisted  in  removing  them,  while  most 
fell  back  to  the  enemy's  picket  line  for  re-formation. 

"While  thus  engaged,  General  John  I.  Curtin,  commanding 
the  Brigade  of  which  the  48th  formed  part,  apparently  ex 
hausted,  and  leaning  upon  his  sword,  in  the  effort  to  rally  the 
troops  for  another  charge,  called  out.  'Let  us  make  one 
more  charge  for  the  honor  of  the  Old  Keystone  State/  and 
directed  the  writer  and  Howard  W.  Haas,  Corporal  Co.  K, 
to  bring  the  Colors  up  to  the  front,  around  which  to  rally. 
This  duty  was  performed  and  the  writer  bears  cheerful  testi 
mony  to  the  fact  that  Sergeant  Taylor  of  Co.  A,  and  Sergeant 
Sam  Beddall,  of  Co.  E,  two  of  the  best  and  most  gallant 
men  in  the  regiment,  promptly  rallied  around  the  gal 
lant  Curtin  ready  to  advance.  With  the  nucleus  thus  formed  the 
men,  without  much  regard  to  Company  formation,  soon 
advanced  with  loud  and  continuous  cheering  to  the  assault, 
determined  to  avenge  Colonel  Gowen's  untimely  death.  Over, 
around,  and  through  the  remaining  obstructions  with  wild 


300  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

shouts  they  fly,  and  over  the  moat,  already  filled  with  dead 
and  dying,  they  reach  the  glacis  of  the  fort,  and,  muzzle  to 
muzzle,  patriot  and  rebel,  blaze  into  each  others  faces,  the 
guns  in  the  fort  being  now  useless. 

"While  thus  engaged,  victory  hanging  in  the  balance,  up 
comes  the  39th  New  Jersey  to  the  rescue,  their  color-bearer 
bounding  into  the  fort.  Seeing  this  gallant  act,  Captain  John 
L.  Williams  of  Co.  F,  called  out:  "Forward,  boys,  and  save 
the  Jersey  Colors,"  which  order  was  promptly  obeyed.  Hand 
to  hand,  butt  to  butt,  bayonet  to  bayonet  the  fight  continued, 
resulting  in  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  and  the  fort  was  ours. 
Promptly,  Generals  Curtin  and  Potter  of  the  Brigade  and 
Division  respectively  sprang  into  the  fort,  and,  with  their 
own  hands,  turned  the  unspiked  guns  upon  the  enemy,  General 
Potter  being  subsequently  wounded. 

"Shortly  after  the  capture,  the  writer  was  wounded  and 
left  the  field." 

THE   REGIMENTAL  COLORS 

There  has  been  considerable  discussion  about  the  colors 
at  the  Petersburg  assault  as  to  whether  there  were  two 
or  only  one  stand  in  the  fight.  From  the  very  best 
evidence  that  can  be  had  it  has  been  proven  that  both  stands 
of  colors  of  the  48th  Regiment  were  in  the  fight;  the 
one  carried  by  Sergeant  Taylor,  of  Company  A,  a  grand, 
good  soldier,  who  had  carried  it  on  many  fields,  and  the  other 
by  Sergeant  Sam  Beddall,  of  Company  E,  as  good  as  Taylor, 
and  that  is  good  enough  for  any  purpose,  and  they  brought 
them  out  without  any  mishap. 

Sheridan's  victory  at  Five  Forks  and  Wright's  success  in 
piercing  the  rebel  lines,  had  solved  the  problem  of  the  siege 
of  Petersburg.  It  was  a  serious  task  for  Parke  to  turn  the 
lines  which  he  had  captured  to  the  defense  of  his  own  troops 
and  to  hold  them. 

Lee  made  frantic  efforts  to  recover  this  portion  of  the 
line.  He  assaulted  repeatedly  with  reinforcements,  but  every 
effort  was  repulsed.  In  one  of  these  assaults  Fort  Mahone 
fell  again,  temporarily,  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  These 
assaults  were  so  threatening  that  troops  were  ordered  up 


THE  ASSAULT  ON  FORT  MAHONE  301 

from  City  Point,  and  one  division  from  the  Sixth  Corps  to 
reinforce  the  hard-pressed  line.  The  H4th  Pennsylvania 
(Collis' Zouaves)  was  amongst  the  troops  ordered  to  our  relief. 
Fort  Mahone  was  re-captured,  and  Parke  intended  to  renew 
the  assault,  but  his  troops  were  exhausted  and  he  decided  to. 
await  further  developments. 

During  the  night  additional  troops  came  to  the  front, 
and  arrangements  were  made  to  advance  the  whole  line  at 
daybreak.  All  felt  that  an  important  movement  was  at  hand, 
and  that  the  dissolution  of  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  was 
absolutely  certain.  There  was  but  very  little  sleep  for  the 
men  in  the  trenches  that  night.  All  were  expecting  hard 
work  in  the  morning,  with  great  prospects  of  ending  up  the 
war  . 

During  the  night  the  wounded  between  the  lines  were 
brought  in  and  hurried  to  the  rear.  The  night  had  almost 
ended  before  any  movement  was  discovered  that  hinted  at  the 
evacuation  of  Petersburg.  By  three  o'clock  their  troops  were 
all  across  the  Appomattox  River  and  the  bridge  was  in  flames, 
while  the  sky  was  lit  up  by  the  burning  of  the  warehouses, 
indicating  that  the  rebel  army  was  in  full  retreat. 


302  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Fall  of  Petersburg  and  the  End  of  the  War 

At  last,  after  nearly  ten  months  of  hard  work,  the  troops 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  had  the  proud  privilege  of  marching 
into  the  City  of  Petersburg.  All  rejoiced  that  the  end  was 
near.  This  corps  was  the  first  of  the  troops  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  to  assault  Petersburg,  and  it  was  fitting  it  should 
be  the  first  to  enter  the  city. 

The  infantry  of  the  corps  went  forward  and  was  met  by 
the  Mayor  and  Common  Council,  who  said  the  city  being 
evacuated,  it  was  formally  surrendered,  and  they  asked  for 
protection  of  the  persons  and  property  of  its  inhabitants.  At 
4:30  a.  m.  on  the  3d  the  flag  of  the  1st  Michigan  Regiment 
was  raised  upon  the  Court  House. 

Extract  from  report  of  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  John  I.  Curtin, 
commanding  First  Brig.,  2nd  Div.  Qth  Army  Corps,  at 
assault,  April  2nd,  1865 : 

"In  compliance  with  orders,  from  Brevet  Maj.  Gen. 
Potter,  commanding  2nd  Div.,  Qth  Corps,  four  regiments  of 
my  brigade  were  massed  in  column  of  regiments  in  the 
following  order  to  the  left  of  Fort  Sedgwick,  at  three  o'clock 
Sunday  morning,  2nd  inst.:  39th  N.  J.  Vols.;  48th  Pa.  Vet. 
Vols.;  45th  Pa.  Vet  Vols.;  and  58th  Mass.  Vols.;  with  orders 
to  support  the  2nd  Brigade  (Gen.  Griffin)  in  the  assault  on 
the  enemy's  works,  which  was  made  at  4,30  a.  m. 

"The  fort  being  isolated  from  the  main  works,  open  in 
the  rear,  and  completely  commanded  from  front  and  flanks, 
the  advance  was  compelled  to  retire  in  some  confusion  to  the 
outer  part;  yet  at  the  same  time  they  held  the  fort.  The  48th 
P.  V.  V.,  and  the  58th  Mass.  Vols.  were  then  ordered  forward, 
charging  over  and  through  the  fort,  which  charge  was 
successful  only  so  far  as  getting  possession  of  the  traverse 
and  covered  way  leading  to  their  main  work. 

"The  four  regiments   comprising  the   charging  column, 


FALL  OF  PETERSBURG  AND  END  OF  THE  WAR     303 

from  the  time  their  advance  commenced  and  until  they 
reached  the  fort,  were  exposed  to  a  very  galling  fire  of 
artillery  and  musketry,  particularly  at  the  time  that  they 
were  obliged  to  change  direction,  keeping  well  the  line  and 
the  regimental  organization. 

"In  expressing  my  entire  satisfaction  of  the  gallant  con 
duct  of  officers  and  men  of  the  regiments  engaged,  I  refrain 
from  mentioning  any  one  especially.  I  have  to  mention,  and 
deeply  regret,  the  loss  of  two  valuable  ofHcers,  Col.  G.  W. 
Gowen,  of  the  48th  Pa.  V.  V.,  and  Major  P.  E.  Peckman, 
A.  A.  General." 

Official  Records. 

HEADQUARTERS  QTH  ARMY  CORPS,  APRIL  2,  1865. 

COL.  O.  E.  BABCOCK: — I  have  just  come  from  Potter; 
he  is  doing  well  and  in  good  spirits ;  shot  through  body,  low 
down,  probably  escaped  the  intestines,  but  passed  through 
the  bladder.  He  is  at  the  Jones  House  and  well  cared  for. 
We  have  lost  Gowen,  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania,  killed 
instantly  at  the  head  of  his  regiment.  All  our  people  did 

splendidly  to-day. 

JOHN  G.  PARKE,  Major  General. 

Official  Records. 

HEADQUARTERS  9TH  ARMY  CORPS, 

ALEXANDRIA,  VA.,  MAY  29,  '65. 
COL.  GEO.  D.  RUGGLES, 

Asst.  Adjt.  Gen.,  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
COLONEL: — I  have  the  honor  to  recommend  for  pro 
motion  the  officers  here  named :  First  Lieut.  Wm.  Auman, 
48th  Penna.  Vols.,  as  Brevet  Captain,  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  April  2nd,  1865.  First  Lieut.  Thos.  H. 
Sillyman,  48th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols.,  as  Brevet  Captain 
for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  April  2nd,  1865.  Second 
Lieut.  Francis  Allebach,  48th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols.,  as 
Brevet  First  Lieut,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct 
April  2nd,  '65.  By  command  of 

MAJOR  GENERAL  JNO.  G.  PARKE, 

Commanding  pth  Corps. 


304  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

FINAL  SCENE  OF  GREAT  STRUGGLE 

The  army  now  took  up  the  march  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing 
rebels,  Sheridan  with  the  cavalry  and  the  Fifth  Corps  wheeling 
to  the  right,  bringing  them  in  the  advance,  the  Sixth  Corps 
and  the  Eighteenth  Corps  in  the  centre,  and  the  Ninth  Corps 
the  extreme  right  of  the  Union  Army.  On  the  night  of  the 
4th  we  camped  at  Sutherland.  At  every  stage  of  the  march 
were  seen  evidences  of  the  hasty  flight  of  the  rebel  army, 
baggage  wagons,  artillery  caissons,  and  all  the  belongings  of 
an  army  were  scattered  by  the  roadside. 

On  the  5th  we  passed  Fords  and  Wellville  and  camped 
near  Nottoway  Court  House.  On  the  7th,  we  reached  Farm- 
ville,  and  escorted  Generals  Ewell,  Kershaw,  Curtis,  Lee  and 
some  other  notables  of  the  rebel  army,  together  with  8000 
other  prisoners,  who  had  been  captured  by  our  army.  We 
conducted  them  to  Burkeville  Junction,  and  were  doing  guard 
duty  over  them  when,  on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  we  heard 
the  joyful  news  of  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  the  previous  day. 

This  news  created  the  greatest  enthusiasm  amongst  the 
troops.  Great,  strong,  bearded  men  embraced,  and,  in  many 
instances,  kissed  each  other  and  shouted.  The  bands  tried 
to  make  as  much  noise  as  the  men,  and  the  greatest  joy  pre 
vailed.  All  suffering  and  hardships  that  we  had  undergone 
tvere  forgotten,  every  heart  was  full  to  overflowing.  Even 
the  Confederate  prisoners  gave  vent  to  their  feelings,  for  the 
most  of  them  were  tired  of  the  war,  and  so  expressed  them 
selves.  On  the  nth,  Gen.  Grant  and  his  staff  passed  our 
camp  on  the  way  to  Washington,  and  on  the  I2th,  the  rebel 
prisoners  were  paroled  at  this  camp  and  started  for  their 
homes. 

On  the  i6th,  we  heard  of  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln.  It  would  be  an  utter  impossibility  to  express  the 
feelings  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  Army  when  this  news 
was  heard.  The  wild  exultations  of  the  prospects  of  peace 
were  quenched  in  shame  and  sorrow. 

"Thus  this  great  and  good  ruler  of  our  reunited  people 
was  foully  stricken  down  in  the  very  moment  of  his  triumph; 
when  the  Union  troops  were  everywhere  victorious,  when  Lee 


FALL  OF  PETERSBURG  AND  END  OF  THE  WAR  305 

had  surrendered  the  chief  army  of  the  downfallen  Confed 
eracy;  when  Johnson  was  on  the  point  of  surrendering  the 
only  remaining1  rebel  force  which  could  be  termed  an  army; 
on  the  self-same  day,  which  saw  the  identical  flag  of  the  Union, 
that  four  years  before  had  been  sadly  hauled  down  from  the 
flag  staff  of  Fort  Sumter,  triumphantly  raised  again  over  that 
historic  fort;  when  the  war,  being  at  an  end,  everything  looked 
hopeful;  at  the  very  time  when  his  merciful  and  kindly  mind 
was  doubtless  far  away  from  the  mimic  scenes  upon  which 
he  looked,  revolving  plans  for  reconstructing  and  rebuilding 
the  waste  and  desolate  places  in  the  South  which  war  had 
made;  at  this  time,  of  all  times,  when  his  just  and  clear  per 
ception  and  firm  patriotism  were  most  needed,  alike  by  con 
querors  and  conquered,  to  guide  and  to  aid  the  nation  in  the 
difficult  task  of  reconstruction  and  of  a  new  departure,  loom 
ing  up  before  it,  with  newer,  and  broader,  and  better  political 
issues  upon  which  all  the  old  issues  of  State-rights,  secession, 
free  trade  and  slavery,  and  all  the  mental  and  moral  leprosy 
growing  out  of  them,  should  lie  buried,  far  out  of  sight  as 
dead-and-gone  relics  of  the  cruel  and  devastating  war  which 
the  South  was  alone  responsible  for. 

Abraham  Lincoln  had  been  assassinated.  The  assassina 
tion  was  but  a  part  of  the  plot  of  the  murderous  Rebel  sym 
pathising  conspirators,  and  that  cowardly  "fire  in  the  rear" 
which  had  been  promised  to  the  rebel  leaders  by  their  North 
ern  henchmen.  It  was  their  purpose  also  to  kill  Gen.  Grant, 
Secretary  Seward,  and  other  prominent  members  of  the 
Cabinet. 

That  the  rebel  authorities  were  aware  of,  and  encour 
aged  this  dastardly  plot,  cannot  be  distinctly  proven,  but  there 
will  ever  be  a  strong  suspicion  that  they  were  not  innocent. 
In  July,  1862,  a  Georgian  named  Burham,  wrote  to  Jefferson 
Davis,  proposing  to  organize  a  corps  of  five  hundred  assassins, 
to  be  distributed  over  the  North,  and  sworn  to  murder  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  members  of  his  Cabinet,  and  leading  Republican 
Senators,  and  other  supporters  of  the  Government.  This 
proposition  was  made  in  writing,  and  was  regularly  filed  in 
the  "Confederate  War  Department;"  indorsed  "Respectfully 

20 


306  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

referred  to  the  Secretary  of  War  by  order  of  the  President/' 
and  signed  J.  C.  Ives.  All  the  denials,  therefore,  of  the  rebel 
chieftains,  as  to  their  complicity  in  this  assassination,  will  not 
clear  their  skirts  of  the  odium  of  that  unparallelled  infamy." 

On  the  2ist  we  commenced  the  march  back  to  City  Point. 
On  the  23rd,  we  reached  Petersburg  and  remained  all  night, 
and  took  advantage  of  the  occasion  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  crater 
made  by  the  explosion  of  the  mine  on  July  30,  1864. 

We  marched  to  City  Point,  and,  on  the  26th 'took  the 
steamer  Starlight  and  proceeded  by  way  of  the  James  River 
and  Fortress  Monroe  to  Alexandria,  Va.,  arriving  there  on 
the  28th,  and  went  into  camp  near  Fort  Lyons. 

On  the  22d  of  May  we  participated  in  the  Grand  Review 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  having  marched  from  Alexandria  the 
night  previous. 

At  review  in  Washington  May  23rd,  1865.  Qth  Army 
Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Jno.  G.  Parke;  2nd  Div.,  Brig.  Gen.  S.  G. 
Griffin  (Gen.  Potter  being  absent,  wounded)  ;  ist  Brigade, 
Col.  Summer  Carruth  ;  48th  Penna.  Vols.,  Col.  I.  F.  Brannan. 
The  48th  had  15  officers  and  450  men  in  ranks. 

DOWN  PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE 

1865. 

"Sweet  peace  at  last !      And  home  once  more 
The  veteran  ranks  began  to  pour. 
Dearer  the  fields  about  home's  door 

Than  fields  of  fame  by  valor  won! 
Ah,  then  how  long  seemed  each  delay 
That  kept  them  lingering  on  the  way! 
How  glorious  was  that  crowning  day — 
The  last  review  at  Washington. 

"More  proudly  in  that  grand  review 
They  wore  those  faded  coats  of  blue 
Than  when  those  uniforms  were  new 

And  first  admired  by  loving  eyes. 
More  proudly  flung  on  freedom's  air 
Those  smoked  and  riddled  banners  there, 
Than  when  their  silken  colors  fair 

First  floated  under  Northern  skies." 


FALL  OF  PETERSBURG  AND  END  OF  THE  WAR  307 

The  army,  its  task  fulfilled,  now  took  its  joyful,  tri 
umphant  march  for  home.  But,  before  these  brave  troops 
melted  away  into  the  common  mass  of  citizens,  it  was  deter 
mined  that  they  should  once  again  pass  in  review  before  their 
great  leaders,  in  the  capital  of  their  country.  It  was  a  noble 
spectacle,  as,  with  the  President  and  Cabinet  and  the  foreign 
ministers  around  them,  Gen.  Grant  and  other  noted  generals 
looked  down  on  these  bronzed  veterans  who  had  moved  at 
their  bidding,  and  had  been  the  instruments  to  execute  their 
will,  as  the  hosts  of  the  Rebellion  were  pressed  back,  the 
Republic  rescued  from  destruction.  For  two  days  this  mighty 
army  marched.  Great  and  touching  memories  clustered 
around  them,  for  they  marked  the  final  steps  of  the  wondrous 
path  they  had  trod  for  four  years.  Soldiers  and  officers  had 
become  endeared  to  each  other  by  a  common  toil,  a  common 
danger,  and  a  mutual  triumph.  They  had  never  failed  in  the 
hour  of  peril.  Manly  men  were  they  all,  who  had  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  on  many  hard-fought  fields.  Not  one 
drooping  banner  had  been  disgraced — on  the  contrary  they 
were  covered  all  over  with  noble  inscriptions,  the  mere  men 
tion  of  which  was  a  history  of  gallant  deeds.  Although  the 
air  was  tremulous  with  triumphant  music  and  loud  shouts, 
a  sad,  mournful  feeling  filled  all  hearts  as  the  swiftly- 
marching  columns  disappeared  in  the  distance,  for  they  were 
parting  forever.  But  over  all  swelled  emotions  of  joy,  that 
the  Union  was  saved — the  country  rescued  from  ruin,  and  a 
happy,  united  people  would,  ere  long,  forget  the  past,  in  the 
enjoyment  of  peace  and  prosperity. 

"And  so  at  last  when  the  fighting  was  done 

And  the  battle-scarred  banners  were  furled, 
The  men  who  had  lived  by  the  sword  and  the  gun 
Must  find  a  new  task  in  the  world." 

While  we  were  in  camp  at  Alexandria,  awaiting  discharge 
and  muster  out,  a  rumor  was  circulated  that  a  portion  of  the 
9th  Corps  was  to  be  sent  to  Mexico,  and  that  the  officers  of 
the  48th  had  petitioned  the  War  Department  to  select  this  regi 
ment  as  part  of  the  command  to  make  the  trip.  When  this 
report  was  made  known  to  the  enlisted  men,  a  petition  was 


FALL  OF  PETERSBURG  AND  END  OF  THE  WAR  309 

drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  orderly  sergeants  of  the  different 
companies,  representing  all  of  the  men,  stating  that  they  did 
not  wish  to  go  to  Mexico,  or  anywhere  else,  except  home, 
and  they  insisted  on  being  discharged  and  mustered  out. 

This  petition  was  sent  to  Governor  Curtin,  at  Harrisburg, 
who  sent  it  to  army  headquarters,  and  from  there  it  was  sent 
on  down  to  corps,  division  and  brigade  headquarters,  and 
finally  to  regimental  headquarters,  where  it  caused  quite  a 
surprise  and  a  lot  of  indignation,  as  it  seemed  there  was  not 
the  least  disposition  on  the  part  of  any  of  the  officers  to  be 
retained  in  the  service,  but  that  the  report  was  unfounded  and 
untrue.  Measures  were  taken  at  once  by  Col.  Brannan  to 
ascertain  the  author  of  the  petition.  John  Cruikshanks,  of 
Company  H,  was,  at  last,  blamed  for  its  circulation,  and  being 
accused  of  it,  neither  affirmed  nor  denied  its  authorship.  He 
was  put  under  arrest  and  means  taken  to  force  him  to  ac 
knowledge  his  connection  with  the  writing  of  the  petition,  or 
divulge  the  name  of  the  person  who  did  so.  He  remained 
obdurate,  and  the  enraged  Colonel  had  him  strung  up  by  the 
thumbs  until  he  was  exhausted. 

After  two  attempts  to  force  the  secret  from  him,  Brannan, 
the  Colonel,  ceased  his  persecutions  and  allowed  "Crooky"  to 
go  to  his  quarters. 

The  authorship  was  never  made  known,  and  nothing 
more  ever  grew  out  of  the  matter. 

On  the  I7th  of  July,  1865,  we  were  mustered  out  of  the 
United  States  service  and  left  Alexandria  on  the  igth,  arriving 
at  Harrisburg  on  the  2Oth.  We  received  our  final  pay  and 
discharges  on  the  22d,  and  reached  our  homes  the  same  day, 
after  nearly  four  years  of  service. 

Our  Corps,  the  Ninth,  was  always  styled  the  "Big  class 
in  geography,"  from  the  fact  of  its  many  movements  by  land 
and  sea.  A  synopsis  of  its  wanderings  is  made  a  portion  of 
this  history,  and  can  be  intelligently  followed.  As  the  48th 
Regiment  was  always  connected  with  this  corps,  a  record  of 
its  travels  and  campaigns  is  a  record  of  the  corps,  excepting, 
only,  the  Vicksburg  campaign  of  the  corps,  in  which  the  48th 
and  the  2d  Maryland  Regiments  did  not  participate. 


310 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


The  route  of  the  extraordinary  marches  of  our  troops 
presented  for  many  long  and  weary  miles  the  touching  pic 
tures  of  the  trials  of  war.  At  night  time  they  might  be  found 
asleep  in  every  conceivable  attitude  of  discomfort — on  fence 
rails  and  in  fence  corners — some  half  bent,  others  almost 
erect,  in  ditches  and  on  hill  sides,  some  without  blankets  or 
overcoats.  Daybreak  found  them  drenched  with  dew,  but 
strong  in  purpose;  sometimes  with  half  rations  of  bread  and 
meat,  still  they  went  cheerfully  forward. 

No  nobler  spectacle  was  ever  presented  in  history.  These 
beardless  youths  and  gray-haired  men,  who  thus  spent  their 
nights  like  beasts  in  the  field,  were  the  best  in  the  land — of 
all  classes,  trades  and  professions.  The  spectacle  was  such 
as  to  inspire  the  prayer  that  ascended  from  the  sanctuaries  of 
the  North — that  God  might  reward  the  devotion  of  these  men 
to  principle  and  justice  by  crowning  their  labors  and  sacrifices 
with  that  blessing  which  always  brings  peace." 


-- 


Regimental  Colors  at  muster  out,  July,  1865. 


312  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


ADDENDA 


Battles,  Casualties,  Total  Enlistments,  Our  Dead.  The 
Survivors'  Association.  Dedication  of  Monuments 
at  Antietam  and  Petersburg  and  Stories  Around 
the  Camp-Fire. 

The  engagements  in  which  the  regiment  actively  partici 
pated  were  as  follows: 

Newberne,  N.  C,  March  13,  1862. 

Second  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29  and  30,  1862. 

Chantilly,  Va.,  September  I,  1862. 

South  Mountain,  Md.,  September  14,  1862. 

Antietam,  Md.,  September  17,  1862. 

Amisville,  Va.,  November  10,  1862. 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  13,  1862. 

Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  October  10,  1863. 

Loudon  and  Lenoirs,  Tenn.,  November  15,  1863. 

Campbells  Station,  Tenn.,  November  16,   1863. 

Siege  of  Krioxville,  Tenn.,  from  Nov.  17  to  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Wilderness,  Va.,  May  6,  1864. 

Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Va.,  May  10,  n  and  12,  1864. 

North  Anna  River  Crossing,  Va.,  May  23  and  24,  1864. 

Armstrong  Farm,  Va.,  June  i,  1864. 

Shady  Grove  Church  or  Tolopotomy,  Va.,  June  3,  1864. 

Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  8  and  9,  1864. 

Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17  and  18,  1864. 

Petersburg  Crater,  July  30,  1864. 

Weldon  Railroad,  August  19,  1864. 

Poplar  Spring  Church,  September  30,  1864. 

Hatchers  Run,  October  27,  1864. 

Fort  Sedgvvick  or  "Hell,"  November  27,  1864,  to  March 

9,  1865. 

Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 
Pursuit  of  Lee's  army  and  end  of  war. 


ADDENDA  313 

CASUALTIES 

KILLED.         WOUNDED.  DIED.       CAPTURED.    TOTALS. 

Field  and  staff 2  ..  i  ..  3 

Company  A 16  16  n  4  47 

Company    B 22                    7-  n  5  45 

Company    C 9  21  10  5  45 

Company   D 15  18  14  3  50 

Company    E 23  41  7  6  77 

Company    F 22  36  8  8  74 

Company    G 14  n  6  2  33 

Company  H 23  28  16  7  74 

Company    I 26  20  8  4  58 

Company  K 13  10  6  2  31 

Totals    185  208  98  46  537 

TAKEN    PRISONERS    AND    WHERE    CONFINED 

DIED. 

Salisbury,  N.  C 23  16 

Libby,  Richmond,  Va 9  4 

Andersonville,    Ga 14  8 

Totals     46  28 

TOTAL   ENLISTMENTS 

Field  and  staff  and  non-commissioned  staff 40 

Company   A 199 

Company    B 200 

Company    C .  . .  , 190 

Company   D 200 

Company    E 178 

Company    F 1 185 

Company   G 180 

Company  H 185 

Company    I 176 

Company  K 171 

Unassigned  men 23 

Total    1927 

The  above  figures  are  compiled  from  the  regimental  records.     The 
.War  Department  records  credit  the  command  with  1889  men. 


314  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

THE  TOTAL  NUMBER  OF  MEN   FURNISHED  BY  SCHUYLKILL 
COUNTY  DURING  THE  WAR 

From  the  Miner's  Journal: 

Hardly  had  we  finished  copying  the  last  list  of  volunteers,  in 
April,  1865,  when  an  order  from  the  War  Department,  consequent  upon 
the  fall  of  Richmond  and  surrender  of  General  Lee's  army,  to  the 
Provost  Marshal  of  the  Tenth  District,  Captain  Bowen,  stopped  recruit 
ing.  No  more  men  were  ivanted — the  war  was  over. 

From  April  17,  1861,  to  April  13,  1865,  the  number  of  men 
furnished  by  Schuylkill  County,  in  response  to  the  calls  of  the  National 
and  State  Governments,  was  as  follows: 

Three  months'  service 1,795 

Three  years'  troops,  recruited  in  1861 4,007 

Nine  months'  troops,  1862 786 

Militia  for  State  defence,  1862 647 

I73rd  Regiment  (drafted  men)  nine  months'  service. .  310 

Emergency  militia,  1863 1,576 

Drafted  men  who  entered  the  service  under  draft 

of  1863 72 

Re-enlisted  veterans  and  volunteers  recruited  in 

winter  and  spring  of  1864 1,864 

Vounteers  under  call.  July,  1864 351 

One  hundred  days'  men,  1864 175 

Ii6th  Regiment 71 

Volunteers  under  deficiency  call,  December  19,  1864. .  681 

Total, 12,335 

If  we  add  to  this  the  number  of  citizens  who  furnished  substitutes, 
we  find  that  Schuylkill  County  sent,  during  the  war,  into  the  field 
between  thirteen  and  fourteen  thousand  men,  a  record  of  which  a 
county  of  but  ninety  thousand  inhabitants,  need  not  feel  ashamed. 


Philip   Ledrick, 
Co.   D. 


Levi   Nagle, 
Regimental  Band. 


Abraham  Nagle, 
Drum   Major. 


James  May, 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  E. 


316  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


Our  Deafc 


Upon  the  saddest  chapter  of  this  work  we  now  enter.  It 
is  to  give  a  record  of  the  names  of  the  Sons  of  Schuylkill  of 
the  48th  Regiment  who  died  that  their  country  might  live. 
They  yielded  up  their  spirits  in  the  noblest  cause,  and  while 
we  mourn,  we  are  consoled  by  the  reflection  that  their  mem 
ories  will  be  embalmed  in  the  national  heart  while  Freedom 
claims  a  votary  on  our  continent. 

FORTY-EIGHTH    PENNSYLVANIA    REGIMENT 
FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel  George  Gowen  killed  April  2,  1865,  before  Petersburg. 
Major  Joseph  A  Gilmour  died  June  9,  1864,  in  Seminary  Hospital, 
Georgetown,  D.  C.  of  wounds  received  in  battle,  May  3ist 

COMPANY  A. 

William  Miiller  died  November  26,  1861,  on  Hatteras  Island,  N.  C. 
John   N.    Spreese   died  January  21,    1862,     " 
Bernard  West  died  May  I,  1862,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Frank  Wentzel  drowned  in  the  Potomac  River,  August  12,   1862. 
John  Springer  died  in  hospital  from  wounds,  October  3,  1862. 
B.  G.  Otto,  died  in  hospital  from  wounds,  October  15,  1862. 
John  Brobst,  died  in  hospital  from  wounds,  September  12,  1862. 
John  H.  Leiser  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 
James  Williams   killed   at   Fredericksburg,   Va.    December   13,    1862. 
Lewis  M.  Robinhold  killed  in  battle,   May,   1864. 
Isaac  Otto  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 
John  J.  Huntzinger  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 
Abel  C.  T.  St.  Clair  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 
Lewis  Hessinger  killed  in  battle  at  Petersburg,  June  22,  1864. 
Henry  Simpson  killed  in  battle. 

David  Krieger  died  in  Washington,  September,  1862. 
John  Ruff  died  in  Washington,  December,  1862. 
George  Bright  died  in  Philadelphia,  January,   1863. 
John  Springer  died  in  Washington,  October,  1862. 
Richard  Lee  died  near  Pottsville,  March,  1864. 

George  Betz  died  in  Washington,  June  17,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
at  Shady   Grove,  Va. 


ADDENDA  317 

Peter  Zimmerman  died  in  Annapolis,  Md.,  March,   1864. 

Simon    Snyder   died   June    16,    1864,    of   wounds    received    at    Shady 

Grove,  Va. 
George  Airgood  died  August  15,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  front 

of  Petersburg. 

Nelson  Simons  died  in  Minersville,  July,  5.  1864. 
David  Houser  died  in  City  Point  Hospital,  July,   1864. 
Samuel  Schollenberger  died  in  Salisbury,  (N.  C.)  rebel  prison,  January 

15,  1865. 

Total,        --_--___        27 

COMPANY  B. 

Thomas  Davidson  died  at  Fort  Clarke,  Hatteras,  N.   C.  November 

28,  1861. 

Thomas  G.  Williams  drowned  by  sinking  of  a  steamer,  August,  1862. 
Isaac  Eiler  died  in  New  York,  August  7,  1862. 
Abe  Forrer  (wagoner)  died  in  Newbern,  N.  C.  August  7,  1862. 
L.  M.  Reese  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 
Alexander  Prince  killed  at  Antietam,  Md.,  September  18,  1862. 
Corporal  Reuben  Robinson  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December 

13,    1862. 

Michael  Divine  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  13,  1862. 
John  Williams  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,   December   13,   1862. 
William   Hill   killed    December    13,    1862    by    fall    of    chimney    in 

Fredericksburg. 

Thomas  Connell  died  December  18,  1862. 
John  Robson  died  in   Sharpsburg,   Md.,  December  20,   1862. 
Corporal  David  J.  Davis  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 
Matthew  Hume  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 
Frederick  Knittle  killed  in  battle,  May  1864. 
Laurentus  C.   Moyer  killed  in  battle,   May,   1864. 
Daniel  \Vary  killed  in  battle,  May,   1864. 
John  Deitz  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 

Sergeant  John  Homer  killed  in  battle,   Petersburg,  April  2,   1865. 
John  Coalts  killed  in  battle,  Petersburg,  April,  1865. 
Abraham  Wadsworth  died  in  Port  Carbon,  December,  18,  1862. 
Nicholas  Shitehour,   died  in  Washington,  January,    1863,   of  wounds 

received  in  battle. 
Lieut  William    H.  Hume    died    in    Washington,    June    30,  -1864,    of 

wounds  received  in  battle. 
Samuel  Heckman  died  June  12,   1864,  of  wounds  received  at  battle, 

May  31. 
Christian  L.  Lauer  died  June  10,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  battle 

of  Cold  Harbor,  Va. 
William  Schwartz  died  1864. 


318  STORY  OP  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

William    Kissinger    died    May  24,    1864,    of   wounds    received   in  the 
battle  of   Spottsylvania. 

Total,  27 

COMPANY  C. 

Daniel  Reighard  died  at  Camp  Hamilton,  Va.,  November  n,  1861. 

Thomas  McEvoy  died  at  Camp  Winfield,  N.  C,  January  14,  1862. 

John   Weiser  killed   at   Bull    Run,   Va.,   August  29,    1862. 

Barney  Getler  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 

Corporal  A.  T.  Frazier  died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  October  14,  1862. 

Joseph  Lorr  died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  October  29,   1862. 

Edwards  Daniels  died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  November  I,  1862. 

Daniel  Brown  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 

Abraham  A.  Acker  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  23,  1864. 

John  Whitaker  killed   before   Petersburg,  June  23,    1864. 

Patrick  Farrell  died  in  Washington,  September  21,  1864. 

Michael  Crintin  died  in  Salisbury  Prison,  November  29,   1864. 

Michael    Mlohan   died   in    Washington,    May    20,     1864,    of    wounds 

received  in  battle  of  Spottsylvania,   May  12. 

Charles   Dintinger  died  in   Salisbury  Prison,   February   n,   1865. 
Corporal  William  Levison  killed  in  Fort  Sedgwick,  January  2,   1865. 
Total,  15 

COMPANY  D. 

Lieutenant    Alexander    Fox    died    December    i,    1861,    on    steamer 

Spaulding  near  Fortress  Monroe. 
Andrew  Spear  died  April  15,  1862,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Andrew  Klock  died  June  30,  1862. 
Addison  Seaman  died  July  16,  1862. 

Mattie  Sheafer  died  August  4,  1862,  on  board  steamer  Cossack. 
Charles  Miller  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 
George   Ramer  died   September  6,   1862,   of  wounds. 
William  Bambrick  died  September  12,  1862,  of  wounds. 
Alva  F.  Jeffries  killed  September  17,  1862,  at  Antietam. 
John  Sullivan  died  October  8,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Bull  Run. 
Henry  Williamson  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862. 
Thomas  Kinney  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,   1862. 
Jonathan   Kaufman  killed  in  battle,   May,   1864. 
Henry  Dorward  killed  in  battle,  September,  1864. 
Daniel  Okon  killed  in  battle,  September,   1864. 
Corporal  J.  H.   Dorr  died  in  Washington,  January,   1863. 
William  H.  Smith  died  in  Annapolis,  April  7,  1864. 
John  Deitrich  died  March  22,  1864. 
Solomon  Eyster  died  in  Philadelphia,  August  22,  1864. 
David  Miller  died  in  Annapolis,  November  6,   1864. 


ADDENDA  ,  319 

C.  Philip  Becman  died  in  Baltimore,  February  g,  1865. 
Charles  F.  Hesser. 
Jonas  Z.  Raber. 

ist   Lieutenant   Henry   Graeff   died    in    Pottsville,   March   26,    1865,    of 
disease  contracted  in  rebel  prisons. 

Total,        -  23 

COMPANY  E. 

John  Morton  died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  September  5,  1862. 
John  Broadbent  killed  at  Antietam,   September  17,   1862. 
James  Farrall  died  in  Washington,  September,  25,   1862. 
Thomas  Major  died  in  Washington,  October  31,  1862. 
Lieutenant  William  Cullen  killed  in  battle  of  Antietam. 
Lawrence  Farrel  killed  in  battle,  May,  1864. 

David  Williams  killed  in  battle  of  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June  I,  1864. 
John  Major  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  17,  1864. 
Daniel  Boyer  killed  at  Pegram's  Farm,  Va.,  October  5,  1864. 
John  Danagh  killed  at  Pegram's  Farm.  Va.,  September  30,  1864. 
Daniel  D.  Barnett  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 
James    Shields   murdered   in   Silver   Creek,    Schuylkill    County,    Feb 
ruary  26,  1864. 
Anthony  Wade  accidentally  shot  and  killed  near   Cold  Harbor,  Va., 

June  8,  1864. 
Sergeant  Thomas  Tosh  died  in  Washington,  July  7,  1864,  of  wounds 

received  at  Shady  Grove,  Va. 

Williams  Evans  died  in  Philadelphia,  June  22,  1864. 
Valentine    Frantz    committed    suicide    at    Fort    Albany,    Alexandria, 

April  28,  1864. 
William    Reasons    died    in    Annapolis,    June    23,    1864,    of    wounds 

received  before  Petersburg,  June  17. 
James  Regan  died  in  Annapolis,  June  23,   1864.  of  wounds  received 

before   Petersburg,   June    17. 

George  Welsh  died  in  Salisbury  Prison,  February  6,  1865. 
Patrick  Rogers  died  in  Washington,  March  25,  1865. 
Daniel  E.  Reedy  died  en  route  to  Washington,  of  wounds  received 

June  3.  at  Shady  Grove  Church,  Va. 

Total,        -  21 

COMPANY  F. 

Michael  Wilson  died  March  24,  1864,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Patrick  M.  Brown  killed  January  24,  1864,  on  railroad  at  Paris,  Ky. 
William  Brereton  died  at  Fort  Clarke,  N.  C.,  December  12,  1861. 
Charles  Treisbach  died  in  Newbern,  N.  C.  July  i,  1862. 
Corp.    Henry  Jenkins   died  August   29,    1862,   of  wounds    received   at 
Bull  Run,  Va. 


320  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Corp.  William  Hopkins  killed  at  Bull  Run,  August  29,  1862. 

Daniel  Fenstermacher  died  in  Washington,  February  11,  1863. 

James  Evans  died  in  Washington,  March  3,  1863. 

John    J.    Morrison    died    in    Columbia    College    Hospital,    Washington, 
October  23,    1862,    of  wounds   received   at   Bull   Run. 

David  F.  Thiel  killed  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May,   1864. 

John  Morrissy  killed  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

Lewis  Woods  killed  at  Spottsylvania,  Pa.,  May,  1864. 

Richard   Williams   killed   at    Spottsylvania,   Va.,    May,    1864. 

Patrick  Doolin  killed  near  Pamunky  River,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

Henry  McCann  killed  near  Pamunky  River,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

Edward  G.   Pugh  killed  at  Shady  Grove    Church,  Va.,  June  23,   1864. 

William  Smith  killed  at  Shady  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June  23,  1864. 

Horace  F.  Straub  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  17,  1864. 

Isaac  Lewis  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  17,  1864. 

Corp.  John  Powell  died  May  12,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spottsyl 
vania. 

John  Bradley   (2nd),   died  June,   1864,  of  wounds   received  at   Shady 
Grove  Church. 

David  McElvie  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 

Peter  Litchfield  died  June,  1864,  at  Annapolis,  Md. 

Israel  Manning  died  May,   1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania. 

Frank  Queeney  died  August  30,  1864. 

Andrew   Wessner    died   June,    1864,   of   wounds    received   at    Spottsyl 
vania,  May  12. 

Jacob  Wagner  died  in  Pottsville,  January  3,  1865. 

Elijah  DeFrehn  died  in  Salisbury  prison,  December  30,  1864. 

William  Fulton  died  in  Salisbury  prison,  February  n,  1865. 

Simon  Devlin  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  18,  1864. 

Total       -  30 

COMPANY  G. 

Philip  L.  Diehl  died  December  13,  1861,  at  Hatteras,  N.  C. 

William  Smith  died  September  14,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Bull  Run. 

Charles  Timmons  killed  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862. 

Henry  Burnish  died  in  Pottsville,  December  20,  1862. 

John  Fame  died  November  8,  1862,  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

Second  Lieut.  H.  C.  Jackson  killed  near  Spottsylvania,  May,  1864. 

W'illiam  Williams  killed  near  Spottsylvania,  May,  1864. 

Corp.   Alex.    Govan   killed   near   Grove    Church,   June  23,    1864. 

James  Allison  killed  near  Grove  Church,  June  23,  1864. 

Wm.  Simpson  killed  near  Grove  Church,  June  23,  1864. 

Edward  McCabe  died  in  Washington,  November  12,  1862. 

John  Armstrong  died  July  i,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania, 

May  12,  1864. 
Charles  Clark  died  in  Annapolis,  Md. 


ADDENDA  321 

J.   Howard  Jones   died  July    13,    1864,   of  wounds   received  June   17, 

before  Petersburg. 

Jas.  R.  Spencer  died  May  31,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania. 
Charles  Hesser  died  in  Washington,  July  8,  1864. 
First  Lieutenant  Curtis  C.  Pollock  died  in  Washington,  June  23,  1864, 

of  wounds  received  before  Petersburg,  June  17. 

Total,  -        17 

COMPANY  H. 

William   Nagle  killed   at  Bull   Run,  Va.,   August  29,    1862. 

Thomas  Kelly  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 

Samuel  Pettit  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 

Sergt.  Wm.  T.  Garrett  died  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  Nov.  23,  1861. 

Sergt.  Charles  C.  Hinkle  died  in  Hatteras  Inlet,  N.  C.,  Nov.  23,  1861. 

R.  A.  Jenkins  died  at  Ascension  Hospital,  D.  C.,  Dec.  24,  1862. 

Charles  Knerr  died  in  hospital,  December  7,  1862. 

Sergt.  Joseph  Reed  died  November  16,   1863,  of  wounds  received   at 

Campbell  Station,  Tenn.,  November  16. 
Corp.  John  Sppnsler  died  November  29,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  29. 
Joseph  Weise  died  November  27,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Knoxville, 

Tenn.,  November  24. 

Abraham  Benscoter  killed  near  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May,  1864. 
Second  Lieut.  Samuel  B.  Laubenstine  killed  near  Pamunky  River,  Va., 

May,  1864. 

Corp.  Charles  Norrigan  killed  near  Pamunky  River,  Va.,  May,  1864. 
Joseph  Aexander  killed  near  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June,  1864. 
George  W.  Morey  killed  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 
Jefferson  W.  Byerle  killed  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 
James  Mulholland  killed  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 
Anthony  Gallagher  killed  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  17,  1864. 
Thomas  Davis  killed  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 
Second  Lieut.  David  B.  Brown  killed  before  Petersburg,  Aug.  5,  1864. 
Charles  Driesbach. 
William  A.  Millet  accidentally  killed  on  railroad  at  Harrisburg,  Pa., 

September  7,  1861. 

Thos.  Lewis  died  at  Islington  Lane  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  April  2,  1864. 
Charles  O.   De  Long  died  May  8,    1864,  near  Bristow   Station,   Va., 

en  route  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  Alexandria,  Va. 
Isaac  Bannon  died  July  26,  1864,  in  Alexandria. 
Joseph  Chester  died  in  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May  24,  1864,  of  wounds 

received  May  15. 

John  Donnelly  died  in  Annapolis,  Md.,  April  21,  1864. 
Edward  Edwards  died  April  23,  1864,  near  Annapolis. 
Job  Hirst  died  in  Washington,  July  3,  1864,  of  wounds  received  June 

26,  1864,  before  Petersburg. 

21 


322  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Lewis  W.  Kopp  died  in  Washington,  October  i,  1864. 

Wm.  D.  Lloyd  died  in  Lincoln,  Hospital,  Washington,  January  19,  1865. 

P.  Heneran  died  November  25,  1864. 

Charles  Aurand  died  in  Pottsville,  February  9,  1865. 

James  King  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 

Wm.  Donnelly  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 

George  Uhl  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1865. 

Total,  36 

COMPANY   I. 

Alexander  Boone  died  in  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  August   II,   1862. 

Charles  F.  Leizer  killed  in  action  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 

Corp.  Lewis  V.  Focht  killed  at  Antietam,  Md.,  September  17,  1862. 

Lieut.  George  H.  Gressang  drowned  in  Potomac  River  by  sinking  of 
steamer  West  Point,  August  12/1862. 

Jonas  Haldeman  killed  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  29,  1863. 

Charles  Weaver  died  December  5,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Knox 
ville,  Tenn.,  December  3. 

Henry  J.  Ege  killed  near  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

William  J.   Price  killed  near  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June,   1864. 

Benjamin  B.   Kershner  killed  near  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June,   1864. 

George  Dresh  killed  near  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June,  1864. 

James  Heiser  killed  before  Petersburg,  September  30,  1864 

Charles  E.  Weber  died  in  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  December  5,  1863. 

First   Lieut.    Joseph    Edwards    died    in   Washington,    July   2,    1864,    of 
wounds   received  before   Petersburg,   June    17. 

Capt.    B.    B.    Shuck    died    in    Washington,   July   27,    1864,    of    wounds 
received  before  Petersburg,  June  25. 

Reuben  Watt  died  in  Annapolis,  March  31,   1864. 

Lewis  J.  Garber  died  in  Annapolis,  April  23,   1864. 

John  Clark  died  June  8,  1864,  of  wounds  received  June  3. 

Jerry  Willouer  died  June  22,  1864,  of  wounds  received  June  3. 

James   Boner  died  June  22,   1864,  of  wounds   received   May  30. 

Daniel  J.  Kehl  died  June  26,  1864,  at  City  Point,  Va. 

Lewis   Beablehamer   died  July  26,   1864,   of  wounds   received  July  24. 

Isaac  K.  Beltz  died  August  10,  1864,  of  wounds  received  August  10. 

Daniel  Nayer  died  August  22,  1864,  at  City  Point. 

Albert  Zimmerman  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1864. 

Albert  Mack  killed  before  Petersburg,  April  2,  1864. 

Wesley  Boyer  killed  before  Petersburg,  April,  2,  1864. 

Total,  26 

COMPANY  K. 

Sergt.  R.  D.  Filbert  killed  at  Bull  Run,  Va.,  August  29,  1862. 
Corp.  Patrick  Handley  died  In  Washington,  October  25,  1862. 
Corp.  Daniel  Moser  killed  at  Antietam,  Md.,  September  17,  1862. 


ADDENDA  323 

Peter  Boyer  died  in  Cressona,   Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa.,  October  22,   1862. 

Peter  Burke  died  in  Frederick,  Md.,  November  14,  1862. 

George  F.  Maines  died  on  Hatteras  Island,  November  30,  1862. 

George  Dentzer  killed  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1802. 

John  W.  Henn  killed  near  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

Jacob  Lauby  killed  near  Grove  Church,  Va.,  June,  1864. 

Nathan  Rich  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  17,  1864. 

Arthur  L.  Gray  killed  before  Petersburg,  June  17,  1864. 

John  L.  Dentzer  killed  at  Fort  Sedgvvick,  Va.,  Dec.  28,  1864. 

Total,  12 

RECAPITULATION 

Field  officers,  2;  Company  A,  27;  Company  B,  27;  Company  C, 
15;  Company  D,  23;  Company  E,  21;  Company  F,  30;  Company  G,  17; 
Company  H,  36 ;  Company  I,  26 ;  Company  K,  12.  Total,  236. 


A  REMINISCENCE 

(Contributed  by  Robert  A.  Reid.) 

As  the  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  has 
the  honor  of  digging  and  exploding  successfully  the  greatest 
military  mine  known  in  history,  it  was  decided,  by  the 
survivors  of  this  regiment  in  September,  1905,  when  their 
number  was  reduced  to  less  than  four  hundred  comrades, 
that  it  would  be  most  proper,  ere  these  few  passed  to  the 
other  side,  to  see  that  some  memorial  was  erected  near  the 
scene  of  the  celebrated  mine,  commemorative  of  the  great 
event. 

Accordingly,  a  committee  of  three  were  sent  to  Peters 
burg,  Va.,  to  secure  a  site  for  this  monument  near  the  "Crater" 
made  by  the  mine  explosion.  Not  being  able  to  secure  the 
ground  desired  there,  they,  after  some  negotiation,  procured 
a  plot  of  fifty  square  feet,  near  where  their  Colonel,  Geo. 
W.  Gowen  was  killed,  in  front  of  Fort  Mahone  and  only  a 
short  distance  from  the  former  place.  Here  it  was  decided 
to  erect  a  granite  monument  with  bronze  statue  of  Col. 
Gowen  and  the  money  for  the  purpose  to  be  raised  by 
private  subscription. 

The  survivors  of  this  regiment  claim,  and  we  think 
justly  so,  as  proven  by  historical  facts  coming  to  light  since 


324  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

the  Civil  War,  that  had  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  and 
thereby  the  breaking  of  the  enemy's  lines  around  Peters 
burg,  been  properly  followed  up  and  taken  advantage  of 
on  that  morning  in  July,  1864,  that  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
would  have  ended  there  and  then. 

It  has  been  proven  conclusively  and  satisfactorily  that 
on  the  morning  of  the  explosion,  General  Lee's  lines  around 
Petersburg  were  very  weak,  the  most  of  his  troops  at  that 
time  were  operating  north  of  the  James  River,  and  to  repel  an 
attack  at  the  Crater  after  the  explosion,  General  Mahone's 
division  was  taken  from  his  (Lee's)  lines  on  the  right  at  the 
Wilcox  farm,  and  only  a  skirmish  line  left  to  protect  it  at 
the  time  being,  and,  to  show  the  seriousness  of  the  enemy's 
position,  General  R.  E.  Lee  in  person  directed  the  move 
ments  of  Mahone  and  his  division  during  the  battle  and  the 
re-taking  of  the  Crater,  while  the  supreme  moments,  after 
the  explosion,  were  allowed  to  pass  and  fritter  away  before 
a  forward  movement  was  made  by  our  troops.  And,  when 
that  movement  was  made,  the  enemy  was  prepared  for  it,  in 
the  front  and  on  both  flanks,  and  the  event  which  promised 
so  much  success  in  the  early  morning  was  but  the  prelude 
to  a  day  of  blood  and  disaster  to  the  Union  troops. 

At  the  time  of  the  explosion  the  "Boys"  of  the  48th 
Regiment,  as  well  as  the  gallant  Pleasants  who  engineered 
the  mine,  knew  who  was  responsible  for  this  failure,  and 
after  the  lapse  of  over  forty  years,  the  survivors,  now  a 
small  band  of  heroes,  have  discovered  no  reason  to  change 
that  opinion. 

The  boys  of  the  48th  Regiment  went  through  the  whole 
gamut  of  a  soldier's  experience.  The  ideal  life  on  Hatteras 
Island  with  its  fishing  and  boating,  with  but  few  families  living 
there  was  thoroughly  enjoyed.  Then  our  grand  time  in  Lex 
ington,  Ky.,  with  the  ladies  who  sang  the  "Bonnie  Blue  Flag," 
and  worshipped  it.  Then  our  experience  on  the  field;  our  long 
march  from  Culpeper  Court  House  to  Kelly's  Ford;  our 
march  from  there  along  the  Rappahannock  to  Sulphur 
Springs.  The  comrades  will  remember  the  severe  thunder 
storm  that  broke  on  us  just  above  Rappahannock  Station 


R.  A.  Reid,  Co.  G. 


ADDENDA  327 

during  this  march  when  the  lightning  struck  and  killed  a 
colored  teamster  of  our  wagon-train;  and,  when  the  wagon- 
master  came  to  Co.  "G"  asking  for  a  volunteer  to  take  his 
place,  good  old  Val  Rauch,  of  that  company,  after  saying, 
"Lightning  never  strikes  twice  in  the  same  place,"  took  the 
job,  and  who,  himself,  was  drowned  \vhen  going  down  the 
Mississippi  River  wdth  his  wagon-train  to  participate  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg  just  one  year  later. 

Then  our  battle  under  Pope  at  Bull  Run  and  Chan- 
tilly,  with  McClellan  at  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  and 
with  Burnside  at  Fredericksburg.  In  some  of  these  we 
drank  of  the  bitter  cup  of  defeat  to  the  last  drop. 

Our  never-to-be-forgotten  experience  in  East  Ten 
nessee,  which,  with  cold  and  hunger,  rivaled  Valley  Forge 
itself. 

Then  the  great  Campaign  of  the  Wilderness  under 
Grant,  when  every  day  during  the  whole  summer  there  was 
a  battle,  big  or  little,  sometimes  losing  men  by  the  score, 
and  at  other  times  just  having  one  or  two  picked  off  by 
sharp-shooters,  until  we  arrived  in  front  of  Petersburg  on 
the  afternoon  of  June  i6th ;  the  tiresome  night  of 
reconnoissance;  then  the  brilliant  charge  before  daylight  of 
the  1 7th  when  the  48th  captured  the  44th  Tennessee,  two 
battle  flags  and  two  pieces  of  artillery. 

On  the  night  of  the  i8th  of  June,  we  advanced  to  the 
inner  lines  of  works  held  by  the  enemy  and  were  up  against  the 
afterwards  celebrated  "Elliott's  Salient."  The  following  morn 
ing  after  a  careful  and  dangerous  reconnoissance,  Pleasants 
decided  that  the  enemy  could  be  dislodged  from  their 
strong  position  only  by  mining;  and  after  carefully  formu 
lating  plans  for  the  same,  they  were  submitted  to  Generals 
Robert  A.  Potter  and  A.  E.  Burnside,  of  the  Qth  Corps, 
who  approved  the  same  and  allowed  Pleasants  to  go  on  with 
the  work  that  was  to  make  the  48th  Regiment  the  most 
famous  in  the  Union  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  the  Civil 
War. 

The  other  deeds  of  the  Regiment  during  its  term  of 
service  were  duplicated  by  many  of  the  others,  but  the 


328  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY  EIGHTH 

Petersburg  mine  was  the  most  successful  one  dug  during 
the  whole  war.  No  other  regiment  could  have  done  it,  as 
none  had  the  experienced  miners  in  its  ranks  and  none  had 
the  practical  mining  engineer  for  commander  that  this 
regiment  had  in  their  commander  at  this  time,  Col.  Henry 
Pleasants.  It  is  to  commemorate  this  event  and  the  death 
of  Col.  Geo.  W.  Gowen,  almost  one  year  later,  and  in  memory 
of  all  our  dead  comrades,  wherever  they  may  be  buried, 
whether  in  the  "Balmy  South,"  or  in  their  own  "North 
Land"  in  the  graves  which  are  decorated  each  year  by 
loving  ones  at  home,  that  this  monument  is  to  be  erected 
which  will  tell  the  "American  boy"  of  the  future  of  the 
bravery,  endurance  and  skill  of  the  soldiers  of  old  Schuylkill 
County. 

FORMATION     OF     THE     SURVIVORS'     ASSOCIATION,     FORTY- 
EIGHTH    REGIMENT,  P.  V.  V.  I. 

(Contributed  by  Robert  A.  Reid.) 

The  Survivors'  Association  of  the  48th  Regiment,  P.  V. 
V.  I.,  was  organized  in  Pottsville,  Pa.,  on  July  26th,  1899, 
by  electing  Captain  Joseph  H.  Hoskings,  of  Co.  F,  president; 
Captain  Cyrus  Scheetz,  of  Co.  G,  treasurer ;  and  R.  A.  Reid, 
of  Co.  G.  secretary.  It  was  detided  by  the  comrades  present, 
that  the  Survivors'  Association  attend  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  National  Encampment  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia 
on  September  6th,  1899-  This  first  meeting  was  held  at  the 
Exchange  Hotel,'  North  Centre  Street,  kept  by  Mr.  Dinger; 
at  this  meeting  William  Stevenson  was  appointed  a  com 
mittee  of  one  to  solicit  subscriptions  towards  a  fund  to  be 
used  to  procure  transportation  to  and  from  Philadelphia  to 
all  comrades  who  may  be  desirous  to<  attend. 

Comrade  Scheetz  reported  having  $25.00  in  his  possession 
from  the  proceeds  of  our  last  reunion,  held  in  Pottsville 
some  years  previous.  At  a  subsequent  meeting,  Comrade 
Stevenson  reported  having  collected  and  turned  over  to  our 
treasurer  the  sum  of  $120.25,  which,  with  the  $25.00  already 
in  his  possession  made  a  fund  of  $145.25. 


ADDENDA 


329 


With  this  fund,  tickets  were  secured  for  over  sixty 
comrades  to  and  return  from  Philadelphia;  these  comrades 
leaving  Pottsville  on  September  5th,  1899. 

At  10  o'clock  A.  M.  next  day,  September  6th,  the 
Association  met  at  Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  Captain  Joseph  H. 
Hoskings,  president,  in  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  opened 
with  prayer  by  our  esteemed  comrade  Chaplain  Rev.  Mr. 
Holman  who  last  met  with  us  in  reunion  at  Pottsville  on 
September  3,  1906,  during  the  "Old  Home  Week,"  and  died 
in  Philadelphia  on  January  31,  1907,  aged  76  years. 


Captain   Cyrus  Scheetz,   Co.   G, 

First  Defender,  and  First  Treasurer 

of  Survivors'  Association. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  to  serve  for  the 
ensuing  year:  President,  Lieut.  Geo.  Fame;  treasurer, 
Sergt.  Daniel  Donne,  and  secretary,  Private  R.  A.  Reid.  The 
following  comrades  were  appointed  as  an  Executive  Com 
mittee:  Co.  A,  Philip  Richards;  Co.  B,  Major  James  Wren; 
Co.  C,  Theo.  Titus;  Co.  D,  Major  Daniel  Nagle;  Co.  E, 
Lieut.  John  McEllrath;  Co.  F,  Patrick  H.  Monahan;  Co.  E, 


330  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Clay  W.  Evans ;  Co.  H,  Major  F.  R.  Leib ;  Co.  I,  Captain 
John  I.  Porter;  Co.  K,  Daniel  Bausum.  Short  addresses 
were  made  by  Comrades  Bosbyshell,  Blackwood,  Auman 
Wren,  and  others,  when,  after  a  very  enjoyable  time,  all 
moved  the  Association  adjourn,  to  meet  at  Pottsville  next 
year. 

On  September  3rd,  1900,  the  Association  met  in  reunion 
in  Pottsville,  Pa.,  at  Centennial  Hall.  Lieut.  Geo.  Fame, 
President,  of  Minersville,  called  the  meeting"  to  order, 
which  was  opened  by  prayer  by  Comrade,  Chaplain  S.  A. 
Holman. 

The  following  named  comrades  were  elected  as  officers 
to  serve  the  following  year:  Major  James  Wren,  Boyers- 
town,  Pa.,  president;  Col.  Daniel  Nagle,  Pottsville,  Pa., 
vice-president;  R.  A.  Reid,  Pottsville,  secretary,  and  Daniel 
Donne,  Palo  Alto,  treasurer.  There  were  over  two  hundred 
comrades  present,  many  with  their  wives  and  daughters. 

There  was  also  present  four  sons  of  our  first  Colonel, 
James  Nagle,  who  be'came  members  of  our  Association,  and, 
in  behalf  of  their  family  presented  to  the  Association  a 
beautiful  silk  American  flag.  Of  this  family  there  was  also 
present  Mrs.  Link  Philips  and  Mrs.  James  Bowen. 

On  motion  of  Allan  Koch,  of  Omaha,  Neb.,  it  was 
decided  that  the  next  annual  reunion  be  also  held  in 
Pottsville,  Pa. 

After  the  business  meeting,  the  comrades  and  their 
wives  adjourned  to  the  Exchange  Hotel  where  a  sumptuous 
banquet  was  served,  after  which  a  program  of  speaking  was 
carried  out,  when  addresses  were  made  by  General  St.  Clair 
Mulholland,  of  Philadelphia;  Col.  O.  C.  Bosbyshell;  Allan 
Koch;  Captain  Leib,  of  Harrisburg;  James  W.  Nagle,  of 
Philadelphia;  and  others. 

The  amount  collected  as  dues,  etc.,  $43.40;  expenses 
of  reunion,  $43.84;  previous  in  treasury,  $30.07. 

At  4  P.  M.  the  survivors  of  the  48th  Regiment,  P.  V.  I., 
and  their  friends  adjourned,  to  meet  again  in  Pottsville 
next  year. 

September  2nd,  1901,  the  Survivors'  Association  of  the 


ADDENDA  331 

48th  Regiment,  P.  V.  V.  I.,  met  at  the  Lyceum  Hall,  Potts- 
ville,  Pa.,  at  ii  A.  M.,  Col.  Daniel  Nagle,  the  vice-president, 
in  the  chair,  Major  James  Wren,  president,  having  died 
since  our  last  reunion.  The  meeting  was  opened  by  prayer 
by  Chaplain  S.  A.  Holman.  At  this  meeting  it  was  explained 
by  Secretary  Reid  that  a  balance  of  $43.83,  which  had  been 
deposited  in  Pottsville  Safe  Deposit  Bank,  the  proceeds  of 
a  previous  reunion,  be  turned  over  to  the  fund  now  in  the 
hands  of  Treasurer  Donne,  which,  on  motion,  was  done.  The 
articles  of  our  by-laws  were  amended  to  read  as  follows : 
"That  the  officers  of  this  Association  shall  consist  of  a 
president;  three  vice-presidents;  treasurer;  secretary;  finan 
cial  secretary,  chaplain  and  three  trustees,  to  be  elected 
annually,"  the  following  comrades  being  unanimously 
elected  to  serve  the  ensuing  year :  Col.  Daniel  Nagle, 
Pottsville,  Pa.,  president;  Comrades  Gould,  Winlack  and 
Blackwood,  vice-presidents ;  Comrade  Haerter,  treasurer, 
and  Comrades  Reid  and  Neice,  secretary  and  financial 
secretary  respectively;  Comrade  S.  A.  Holman,  chaplain, 
with  Comrades  Kellar,  Donne  and  Fame,  trustees.  After 
the  business  meeting  the  committee  of  citizens  of  Pottsville 
took  charge  of  the  proceedings,  and  promptly  at  1.30  P. 
M.,  on  Market  street,  the  comrades  formed  line,  headed  by 
Col.  O.  C.  Bosbyshell,  Dr.  Blackwood,  and  Chaplain  Holman 
and  escorted  by  the  military,  the  fire  companies  and  civic 
societies,  a  short  street  parade  was  indulged  in,  when  they 
were  escorted  by  the  citizens  to  the  Union  Hall,  where  a 
banquet  was  served  to  the  survivors  and  friends,  at  which 
were  seated  over  four  hundred  persons,  after  which  speeches 
were  made  by  Hon.  Judge  Bechtel,  Hon.  James  B.  Reilly 
and  others,  in  which  all  paid  tribute  to  the  glorious  record 
of  our  old  48th  Regiment. 

There  was  received  as  dues  from  comrades $156.05 

Previously  in  treasury   119.41 

Total  in  treasury  to  date $275.46 

The  expense  of  this  whole  affair  was  paid  by  the  citizens 
of  Pottsville,  who  have  always  had  a  warm  feeling  for  any 


332  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

and  everything  connected  with  our  old  48th  Regiment.  Thus 
ended  the  most  successful  and  enjoyable  reunion  we  ever 
had  in  Pottsville. 

The  reunion  of  1902  was  held  also  in  Pottsville,  the 
business  meeting  and  banquet  both  being  held  in  Hummers 
Hall,  when  the  old  officers  were  duly  elected  to  serve 
the  ensuing  year.  A  fine  banquet  was  served,  it  being 
noticeable  that  a  large  number  of  the  wives  and  daugh 
ters  were  present,  who  seemed  to  enjoy  themselves 
almost  as  much  as  the  comrades  themselves.  Comrade 
Frank  Lieb,  of  Harrisburg,  acted  as  toastmaster.  The 
speakers  were  Comrades  Bosbyshell;  Blackwood;  Major 
Thompson,  of  the  7th  Penna.  Cavalry;  Gould;  Monahan; 
Prof.  Thurlow;  'Squire  John  Conrad;  and  others.  After  a 
very  enjoyable  occasion  we  again  adjourned,  to  meet  in 
Pottsville  next  year. 

The  trustees'  report:  Balance  in  treasury  to  date, 
$230.80. 

On  September  7th,  1903,  the  Association  met  in  Potts 
ville  again  in  annual  reunion,  when  the  old  officers  were 
unanimously  elected  to  serve  another  year.  The  trustees' 
report  having  audited  the  account  of  the  treasurer  and  found 
the  same  correct,  with  a  balance  on  hand,  August  29,  1903, 
of  $262.65.  The  other  business  of  this  meeting  was  in 
connection  with  the  Antietam  Monument,  a  bill  appropriat 
ing  funds  for  that  purpose  being  passed  by  the  Pennsylvania 
State  Legislature  on  the  2nd  of  March,  1903.  It  was 
unanimously  resolved  at  this  meeting  that  this  monument 
be  a  statue  monument  and  the  figure  thereon  be  that  of  our 
first  Colonel,  James  Nagle.  After  partaking  of  the  banquet 
prepared  and  some  entertaining  stories  being  told,  we  again 
adjourned  for  another  year. 

On  September  5th,  1904,  the  Survivors'  Association  met 
in  annual  reunion,  the  business  meeting  being  held  in  G. 
A.  R.  Hall.  This  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  10  A.  M. 
by  the  President,  Col.  Daniel  Nagle,  when  one  hundred  and 
thirty  comrades  answered  to  their  names,  many  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  comrades  being  present. 


ADDENDA  333 

There  was  present  Comrade  Lem  Buch,  of  Reading; 
Senator  Quail,  of  Auburn;  Mr.  A.  B.  Cochrane,  'Squire  John 
Conrad  and  others.  After  a  long  and  acrimonious  discussion 
relating  to  the  48th  Regiment  and  Antietam  monument,  no 
final  action  was  taken  on  the  matter  of  unveiling  the  same 
on  the  1 7th  inst. 

The  present  officers  of  the  association  were  again 
re-elected  for  another  year. 

On  motion  of  Comrade  Donne  resolutions  were 
passed  taking  the  preliminary  steps  towards  the  erection  of 
a  memorial  in  honor  of  the  dead  of  the  48th  Regiment  at 
Petersburg,  Va. 

The  trustees-  reported  the  treasurer's  account  correct  and 
the  balance  on  hand  to  date,  $234.47;  when  the  meeting 
adjourned  to  repair  to  the  banquet  to  be  held  at  Hummers 
Hall,  North  Centre  Street. 

After  the  banquet,  Major  Frank  R.  Leib,  as  usual  acting 
as  master  of  ceremonies,  introduced  the  following  list  of 
speakers:  Comrades  O.  C.  Bosbyshell;  Blackwood;  Gould; 
Monahan,  Winlack,  James  and  John  Nagle,  'Squire  John 
Conrad,  and  others,  each  helping  to  make  the  occasion  very 
enjoyable.  After  a  pleasant  time  spent  together,  the  sur 
vivors  again  adjourned,  to  meet  in  Pottsville,  Pa.,  next  year. 

On  September  5th,  1905,  the  Association  met  again  in 
reunion,  the  business  meeting  being  held  in  the  G.  A.  R. 
Hall,  Pottsville,  Pa.,  with  President  Col.  Daniel  Nagle  in 
the  chair.  The  secretary  reported  having  sent  a  circular  letter 
to  each  surviving  comrade,  asking  their  help  towards  raising 
a  fund  for  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  the  dead  of  the. 
Regiment  at  Petersburg,  Va. 

The  Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  Gowen  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
presented  the  sum  of  $25.00  towards  the  Petersburg  monu 
ment  fund,  which  gift  was  properly  accepted  by  Major 
F.  R.  Leib  in  behalf  of  the  Association.  Comrade  Joe 
Gould  was  unanimously  authorized  to  write  the  history  of 
the  regiment,  to  be  known  as  "The  Official  History  of  the 
48th  Regiment,"  also  the  action  of  this  Association  at  their 
monthly  meeting  on  Memorial  Day  was  indorsed  unani- 


334  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

mously,  when  it  was  resolved  that  a  granite  monument  with 
a  bronze  statue  of  Col.  Geo.  W.  Gowen  be  erected  in  front 
of  Petersburg,  Va.,  on  ground  selected  by  this  Association, 
this  monument  to  be  in  memory  of  all  the  dead  of  our 
beloved  regiment,  the  money  to  be  raised  by  public 
subscription. 

THE  PRESENT  OFFICERS,  1906,  AND   RE-ELECTED  FOR  1907 

At  the  Reunion  held  at  Pottsville  on  Sept.  3rd,  igo6, 
the  following  officers  were  elected  to  serve  for  the 
ensuing  year :  President,  Col.  Daniel  Nagle ;  vice-presidents, 
Joe  Gould,  Captain  Winlack,  Captain  Albert  Huckey ; 
treasurer,  Christian  Haerter;  secretary,  R.  A.  Reid;  sur 
geon,  Dr.  Wm.  R.  D.  Blackwood ;  assistant  surgeon,  Eugene 
Smyser,  M.  D. ;  chaplain,  Rev.  S.  A.  Holman ;  assistant 
chaplain,  Rev.  A.  A.  DeLong,  the  old  trustees  being  duly 
elected,  who  reported  the  treasurer's  accounts  correct,  with  a 
balance  in  the  treasury  to  date  of  $232.20.  After  this  business 
meeting  the  comrades  and  their  friends  and  ladies  repaired 
to  Hummers  Hall,  where  a  bountiful  banquet  was  spread 
and  enjoyed  by  all  present,  after  which  the  usual  program  of 
speakers  were  enjoyed.  While  discussing  their  different 
subjects  and  when  all  was  over,  this  last  reunion  was  voted 
as  the  most  successful  and  enjoyable  of  any  in  our  series. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Survivors'  Association 
the  comrades  have  paid  dues  annually  at  the  rate  of  ten 
cents  per  month,  or  $1.20  a  year,  and  this  sum  has  been 
paid  in  regularly  by  each  one  when  at  the  reunion,  and  this 
> amount  is  always  sufficient  to  pay  the  expenses  of  banquet 
and  all  the  other  necessary  expenses,  such  as  printing,  send 
ing  invitations,  etc. 

The  surviving  comrades  from  Pottsville  and  vicinity  meet 
regularly  in  Dinger's  Exchange  Hotel  on  the  last  Saturday 
of  every  month.  The  Association  has  not  missed  above  one 
of  these  meetings  since  its  organization  in  1899.  These 
meetings  are  of  a  very  enjoyable  character,  and  as  the 
comrades  in  their  sociable  talks  after  the  meetings  let 
themselves  loose,  there  is  always  some  new  story  of  the  war 


John  Lawrence,  Musician,  Co.  F. 


John  P.  Hodgson,  Co.  G. 


Sergt.  Henry  Shay,  Co.  H. 

(Now  on  police  force) 

Pottsville,   Pa. 


David  P.  Brown,  Co.  G. 
(Deceased) 


336  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

brought  forth  which  otherwise  would  be  buried  in  oblivion. 
Landlord  Dinger,  of  the  Exchange  Hotel,  has  placed  our 
Association  under  lasting  obligations  for  his  kindness  all 
those  years  in  giving  us  the  use  of  his  room,  with  heat  and 
light  free  of  cost.  R.  A.  REID. 

In  order  to  illustrate  and  strengthen  the  statement  of 
the  cruelties  practiced  upon  Union  soldiers,  prisoners  of 
war,  I  quote  from  the  report  of  an  inspector  of  rebel  prisons 
at  Danville,  Va.,  to  Col.  R.  H.  Chilton,  Asst.  Adjt.  General, 
Richmond,  Va.  The  report  is  signed  by  A.  S.  Cunningham, 
Inspecting  Officer,  and  is  published  in  the  Official  Records, 
January  27,  1865 : 

"The  prisoners  at  this  post  are  in  a  very  bad  condition, 
dirty,  covered  with  vermin,  little  or  no  ventilation,  and  there 
is  an  insufficiency  of  fireplaces  for  the  proper  warmth  of  the 
Federal  prisoners  therein  confined.  This  could  be  easily 
remedied  by. a  proper  attention  on  the  part  of  the  officers 
in  charge  and  dictated  by  a  sense  of  common  humanity. 
It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  the  prisoners  can  exist  in  the 
close  and  crowded  room,  the  gas  from  the  coal  rendering  the 
air  fetid  and  impure. 

"The  prisoners  have  almost  no  clothing,  no  blankets,  and 
a  very  small  supply  of  fuel.  In  some  of  these  cases,  perhaps 
the  state  of  things  can  be  remedied  by  the  officers  in  charge. 
The  mortality  at  the  prison,  about  five  per  day,  is  caused, 
no  doubt,  by  the  insufficiency  of  food  (the  ration  entire 
being  only  a  pound  and  a  half  of  corn  bread  a  day),  and 
for  the  reasons  in  addition  as  stated  above.  This  state  of 
things  is  truly  horrible,  and  demands  the  immediate  atten 
tion  of  higher  authorities." 

If  there  are  any  readers  of  this  book  who  entertain  any 
doubts  of  the  justice  of  the  execution  of  Captain  Henry 
Wirz,  who  was  tried  by  a  military  commission,  August 
23rd,  1865,  they  should  read  the  evidence  as  partly  presented 
in  the  Official  Records,  series  2,  volume  8,  pages  775  to  791. 

He  was  executed  as  per  sentence,  between  the  hours  of 
10  and  ii  A.  M.,  Nov.  loth,  1865,  and  his  body  interred  by 
the  side  of  "Atzeroth." 


ADDENDA  337 

Official  Records — War  Department: 

The  Andersonville  prison  records  contain  a  roster  of 
over  13,000  dead,  buried  naked,  maimed  and  putrid,  in  one 
vast  sepulchre.  Of  these,  a  surgeon  of  the  rebel  army,  who 
was  on  duty  at  the  prison,  testified  that  at  least  three- 
fourths  died  of  the  treatment  inflicted  on  them  while  in 
confinement,  and  a  surgeon  of  our  army,  who  was  a 
prisoner  there,  states  that  four-fifths  died  from  this  cause. 
Under  this  proof,  which  has  not  been  assailed,  nearly  10,000, 
if  not  more,  of  these  deaths  must  be  charged  directly  to  the 
account  of  Wirz  and  his  associates.  This  widespread 
sacrifice  of  life  was  not  made  suddenly  or  under  the  influence 
of  ungovernable  passion,  but  was  accomplished  slowly 
and  deliberately,  by  packing  upward  of  30,000  men  like 
cattle  in  a  fetid  pen — a  mere  cess  pool — there  to  die  for  need 
of  air  to  breathe,  for  want  of  ground  on  which  to  lie,  for 
lack  of  shelter  from  sun  and  rain,  and  from  the  slow, 
agonizing  processes  of  starvation,  when  air  and  space  and 
shelter  and  food  were  all  within  the  ready  gift  of  their 
tormentors.  This  work  of  death  seems  to  have  been  a 
saturnalia  of  enjoyment  for  Wirz,  who,  amid  these  savage 
orgies,  evidenced  such  exultation  and  mingled  with  them 
such  nameless  blasphemy  and  ribald  jests  as  at  times  to 
exhibit  him  rather  as  a  demon  than  a  man.  It  was  his 
continued  boast  that  by  these,  barbarities  he  was  destroying 
more  Union  soldiers  than  rebel  generals  were  killing  on  the 
battle-field.  He  claimed  to  be  doing  the  work  of  the 
rebellion,  and  faithfully,  in  all  his  murderous  cruelty  and 
baseness,  did  he  represent  their  spirit. 


Sample  of  advertisement  appearing  in  papers  during 
the  war: 

ON   TO   RICHMOND— TRAITORS   BEWARE 

Captain  J.  B.  Adams,  of  this  city,  is  now  here  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  a  new  regiment  for  the  war,  to  be  called 
the  Union  Guards. 

22 


338  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Five  companies  of  the  regiment  are  now  full  and  ready 
to  be  mustered  into  the  service.  Full  bounty  guaranteed; 
no  clique  for  the  purpose  of  controlling  officers  in  this 
regiment ;  each  captain  appoints  and  controls  his  own 
officers;  captains  elect  the  field  officers.  This  regiment  is 
guaranteed  all  the  influence  of  State  and  National  authori 
ties.  Pay  from  the  hour  of  enrollment.  By  order  of 

J.  B.  ADAMS,  Captain  and  Recruiting  Officer. 

This  regiment  may,  perhaps,  have  had  the  field  officers 
elected  in  the  manner  set  forth  in  the  advertisement,  but 
some  regiments  had  a  different  plan. 


CAPTAIN  WILLIAM   WINLACK 

Captain  William  Winlack  was  born  on  the  ninth  day  of 
September,  1826,  in  Londonderry,  Ireland.  His  schooling 
was  very  limited  and  he  was  put  to  work  when  very  young 
on  the  farm ;  tiring  of  this  occupation,  he  came  to  America 
on  the  3Oth  day  of  August,  1843,  having  left  home  the  3Oth 
day  of  July.  He  landed  in  New  York  City,  and  hearing  of 
the  development  of  the  anthracite  coal  industry  in  Pennsyl 
vania  he  immediately  started  for  that  region  and  arrived 
in  Pottsville  and  was  at  once  employed  at  the  Black  Heath 
mines.  By  strict  attention  to  all  the  duties  that  were 
imposed  upon  him  and  keeping  his  eyes  open,  he  soon 
learned  all  about  the  mechanism  of  the  collieries  and 
secured  a  good  position  as  engineer,  being  placed  in  charge 
of  the  machinery,  receiving  good  wages.  In  1854,  he  was 
promoted  to  the  superintendency  of  a  colliery  at  Silver 
Creek,  Pa.,  and  while  engaged  there  organized  a  volunteer 
company,  known  as  the  Wynkoop  Artillery.  This  company 
was  in  existence  at  the  time  of  the  President's  call  for 
75,000  men  in  1861,  and  promptly  responded  to  that  call, 
and,  commanded  by  our  noble  Winlack,  took  the  field  and 
was  attached  to  the  i6th  regiment,  Col.  Zeigler,  and  served 
the  term  for  which  they  had  enlisted,  three  months. 

The  48th  was  about  being  organized  on  their  return, 


Captain    William   Winlack,   Co.    E. 


ADDENDA  341 

and  the  company  almost  to  a  man,  through  the  persuasion 
of  the  gallant  captain,  who,  also,  again  enlisted,  were 
mustered  on  the  2ist  of  August  as  Company  "E,"  of  the 
48th  Pa.  Vols.  and  served  all  through  the  rebellion.  The 
Captain  at  this  writing  is  not  in  the  best  of  health,  but  is 
as  full  of  love  for  his  adopted  country  as  any  man  in  the 
land.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  postmaster  of 
Coaldale,  Pa.,  and  has,  and  deserves  to  have,  the  respect 
of  all  in  the  community.  He  died  at  Coaldale,  Pa.,  June  6,  1907. 


The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  communication  just 
received  from  Headquarters,  ist  Division: 

HEADQUARTERS  2ND  BRIGADE,  IST  DIVISION,  2ND  CORPS. 
(Orders.)  JUNE   i,   1864. 

The  Brigadier  General  commanding  Division  desires 
that  Capt.  F.  R.  Leib,  u6th  Pa.  Vols.,  and  Lt.  Lynch,  Co. 
"A,"  69th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  be  in  some  way  commended  for  their 
gallantry,  while  on  the  picket  line  lately.  It  is  with  the 
greatest  satisfaction  that  the  Col.  commanding  the  Brigade 
communicates  the  above  to  the  command,  and  he  hopes  that 
for  the  creditable  manner  in  which  those  officers  have  con 
ducted  themselves,  they  may  be  duly  rewarded  whenever 
an  occasion  may  present  itself.  By  order  of 

COL.  R  BYRNES, 

Commanding  Brigade. 

The  above  bore  the  following  endorsement: 
This   is   a   case   worthy  of  attention.     Captain   F.   R. 
Leib's  recommendations  are  such  that  I  have  no  hesitation 
in  endorsing  them,  and  recommending  a  favorable  result  to 
his  application.      Respectfully  yours, 

W.  S.  HANCOCK,   Major  General. 

The  within  order  complimentary  to  Captain  F.  R.  Leib, 
late  of  the  n6th  P.  V.,  is  heartily  endorsed. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  General. 


342 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


George  Fame  was  born  at  Minersville,  Penna.,  on 
July  1 7th,  1842.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  at  St.  Clair,  Schuyl- 
kill  County,  in  Co.  "B,"  I4th  Pa.  Infantry,  Captain  W.  H. 
Jennings,  and  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  at  Harrisburg, 
Pa.,  on  April  3Oth,  1861,  for  three  months.  Served  in 
General  Patterson's  column  and  was  discharged  August 
6th,  1861.  Re-enlisted  in  Co.  "G,"  48th  Pa.  Vols.,  Sept.  Qth, 


George    Fame, 
Sergt.  Major  and  Lieut. 

1861,  and  discharged  Dec.  31  st,  1863,  at  Elaine's  Cross 
Roads,  Tenn.,  and  immediately  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  and 
a  corporal  in  the  same  company.  Promoted  to  sergeant  July, 
1864;  to  sergeant  major  December,  1864;  to  2nd  Lieut. 
June,  1865.  Was  wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  I2th,  1864. 
Was  mustered  out  with  his  company,  at  Alexandria,  Va., 
July  1 7th,  1865. 


Samuel  A.  Beddall  was  appointed  color  bearer  on 
Sunday,  October  2nd,  1864,  in  camp  at  Poplar  Grove 
Church,  Va.,  relieving  Sergeant  John  Roarty,  of  Co.  "C," 
one  of  the  former  color  bearers.  He  carried  the  flag  from 
then  until  the  end  of  our  service  term  and  brought  it  home 
to  Pottsville,  Pa.,  July  2oth,  1865.  He  was  in  the  assault 


Major  Frank  R.  Leib,  Chairman  Monument  Committee 


•iir'FORNt* 


ADDENDA  345 

on  Petersburg  and  among  the  first  to  reach  Fort  Mahone 
in  the  early  dawn  of  April  2nd,  1865.  When  they  entered 
the  fort  it  was  still  occupied  by  the  enemy,  and  they  were 
unable  to  hold  this  advanced  position,  and  with  a  few  others 
came  out  safely.  The  most  that  had  entered  the  fort  with 
them  were  killed,  wounded  or  taken  prisoners.  In  the  last 
charge  he  carried  his  colors  to  victory. 

He  was  in  every  engagement  that  the  regiment  partici 
pated  in  and  was  never  sick  a  day  while  in  the  army  or 
incapacitated  in  any  manner  from  doing  duty;  was  struck 
by  a  shell  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  I3th, 
1862,  but  not  injured  sufficiently  to  be  sent  to  the  hospital. 

He  is  at  this  writing  living  at  Tamaqua,  Schuylkill 
County,  Pa.,  an  honored  and  respected  member  of  that 
community. 


Major  Jos.  A.  Gilmour  was  a  native  of  Nova  Scotia  and 
came  to  this  country  when  quite  young.  He  learned  the 
hat  and  cap  manufacturing  business  with  Mr.  Oliver 
Dobson,  of  Pottsville,  with  whom  he  was  associated  for 
about  ten  years.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  enlisted 
in  one  of  the  first  companies  to  reach  Washington  at  the 
call  of  the  President,  and  was  consequently  one  of  the  "first 
defenders."  He  was  thirty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  June  8th,  1864.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  was  highly 
esteemed.  As  a  friend,  he  was  true ;  as  a  soldier,  faithful  to 
his  duty.  (See  portrait  on  page  185.) 


Quite  a  few  of  the  members  of  the  regiment  were 
recommended  for  promotion  as  commissioned  officers  in 
the  colored  regiments  as  they  were  being  recruited  and 
organized  for  service,  and  among  the  most  meritorious  of 
those  was  Harry  Krebs,  Jr.,  who  had  enlisted  at  the  first 
alarm  of  war,  in  the  gth  Penna.  Vols.,  which  followed  the 


346 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


fortunes  of  General  Patterson.  After  his  time  had  expired 
in  the  three  months'  service  he  again  enlisted  in  the  48th 
Regiment,  in  Co.  "G,"  as  a  private,  and  was  promoted  to 
corporal  and  then  to  quartermaster's  sergeant  of  the 
regiment.  In  September,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  as 
first  lieutenant  in  the  35th  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry,  and 
joined  the  regiment  in  the  field  near  Jacksonville,  Florida. 
He  was  wounded  at  Honey  Hill,  S.  C,  during  that 


Henry  Krebs, 
Q.  M.  Sergeant. 

engagement.  He  served  with  distinction  on  the  staff  of 
Brig.  Gen.  Smith,  U.  S.  Army  (regulars),  Military  District 
of  Georgetown,  S.  C. ;  also  as  A.  D.  C.  on  the  staff  of  Brevet 
Major  Gen.  Chas.  Devens,  Military  District  of  Charleston, 
South  Carolina. 

He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  June  ist,  1866, 
by  reason  of  the  muster  out  of  the  organization.  Now 
residing  in  San  Francisco,  California. 


Henry  James, 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  F. 


Alexander  Goven, 
Co.   G. 


Daniel    Donne, 
Co.   G. 


S.  A.  Beddall, 
Co.    E. 


348  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

A    RECOLLECTION 

By  GENERAL  HORACE  PORTER 
(In  Philadelphia  Press  Sunday  Magazine.) 
One  of  the  greatest  disappointments  ever  experienced 
by  General  Grant  in  his  military  operations  was  the  failure 
of  the  famous  mine  in  front  of  Petersburg.  The  mine  was 
not  begun  by  his  orders.  It  was  rather  the  voluntary  work 
of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  composed  of  men  from 
the  mining  districts  of  that  State.  The  enemy's  fortified 
line  opposite  was  on  a  hill,  and,  with  a  miner's  instinct  for 
burrowing  into  the  earth,  the  men  began  running  a  gallery 
into  the  hill,  in  the  belief  that  it  could  be  made  useful  in 
blowing  up  the  earthworks  that  confronted  them.  It  had 
advanced  for  sometime  before  it  was  reported  to  the 
General.  He  let  the  work  continue,  and  finally  decided  to 
make  its  explosion  the  occasion  for  a  movement  to  pene 
trate  the  enemy's  lines  at  that  point. 

Then  began  a  display  of  strategy  for  the  purpose  of 
decoying  the  enemy  to  the  nofth  side  of  the  James  River 
and  weakening  its  line  on  the  south,  which  in  ingenuity  and 
perfection  of  detail  equals  the  devices  that  made  the 
reputation  of  Hannibal.  The  General  and  staff  moved  from 
the  headquarters  camp  the  evening  before  the  attack,  and 
bivouacked  in  rear  of  the  troops  who  were  to  make  the 
assault.  The  mine  was  to  have  been  exploded  just  before 
the  dawn  on  July  30,  1864. 

At  the  appointed  hour  the  General  and  his  staff  were 
up,  and  listening  eagerly  to  catch  the  first  sound  of  the 
explosion.  The  watched-for  hour  passed,  daylight  began 
to  break ;  but  no  sound  from  the  mine.  The  gray  of  the 
morning  had  disappeared,  and  the  light  of  the  sun  was 
breaking  upon  the  scene,  when  a  message  came  that  the 
fuse  had  failed,  it  was  supposed  from  an  imperfection  in 
the  connection  at  the  point  where  it  had  been  spliced. 
Every  moment  now  became  an  hour  of  anxious  suspense. 
Lieut.  Jacob  Douty  and  Sergt.  Henry  Reese,  of  the  Miners' 
Regiment,  with  a  fearlessness  which  challenged  the  admira- 


ADDENDA  349 

tion  of  the  whole  command,  entered  the  long  gallery, 
reached  the  splice  in  the  fuse,  perfected  the  connection,  and 
the  fatal  train  now  did  its  work.  But  over  an  hour  had 
elapsed,  and  that  was  the  hour  which  lay  between  success 
and  failure.  For  an  instant  there  was  a  low  rumbling  noise, 
then  a  sudden  flash,  followed  by  a  sound  that  shook  the 
ground  like  an  earthquake.  Then  the  earth  rose  in  the 
shape  of  an  inverted  cone,  carrying  up  with  it  infantry  and 
artillery,  guns,  carriages,  and  ammunition.  Our  troops 
were  now  pushed  forward  to  pass  through  the  breech  that 
had  been  made  in  the  works ;  but  there  had  been  a  failure 
to  obey  the  orders  to  clear  away  the  abatis  and  other 
obstructions  in  our  own  front.  The  movement  was  slow 
and  irregular,  and  the  enemy  lost  no  time  in  throwing  up 
a  second  line  of  defense  and  rushing  its  troops  back  to  the 
threatened  position. 

It  was  the  old  story:  some  one  had  blundered.  The 
General  rode  forward  to  get  a  better  view  of  the  situation. 
He  saw  at  a  glance  the  mistakes  that  were  being  made,  and 
determined  to  go  to  the  front  and  give  directions  in  person. 
Jumping  from  his  horse  and  throwing  the  reins  to  an 
orderly,  he  motioned  to  the  writer  to  accompany  him,  and 
with  only  a  single  officer  started  off  on  foot  for  the  point 
of  assault. 

It  was  one  of  the  hottest  days  of  summer.  As  the 
General  edged  his  way  through  the  assaulting  columns 
while  they  poured  out  of  rifle-pits  and  covered  ways  and 
crawled  over  the  abatis,  the  heat  was  suffocating.  He  wore 
a  single-breasted  blue  blouse,  with  no  conspicuous  insignia 
of  rank.  For  a  time  none  of  the  men  seemed  to  recognize 
him,  and  they  were  no  respecters  of  persons  as  they  crowded 
to  the  front.  They  little  thought  that  the  plainly  dressed 
man  who  was  elbowing  his  way  past  them  so  vigorously 
was  the  chief  who  had  led  them  from  the  Wilderness  to 
Petersburg. 

Seeing  that  the  crater  left  by  the  mine  was  becoming  a 
slaughter-pen,  and  that  the  lives  of  the  troops  must  no 
longer  be  wasted  in  an  attempt  that  would  only  prove 


350  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

fruitless  in  the  end,  his  sole  anxiety  now  was  to  communi 
cate  with  the  officers  who  were  in  immediate  command  of 
the  movement,  and  direct  them  to  withdraw  their  men.  He 
saw  these  officers  standing  on  the  parapet  of  a  field-work, 
about  six  or  eight  hundred  yards  to  the  left.  To  reach 
them  by  passing  inside  of  our  rifle-pits  would  be  a  slow 
process,  as  the  place  was  crowded  with  troops ;  so  he 
decided  to  keep  in  front  of  the  line  of  earthworks  and  take 


Mine   Entrance, 
Petersburg,  after  forty-two  years. 

the  chances.  The  shots  were  flying  thick  and  fast,  and 
what  with  the  fire  of  the  enemy  and  the  heat  of  a  July  sun, 
there  was  a  warmth  about  the  undertaking  that  ought 
to  have  satisfied  the  cravings  of  the  most  advanced 
cremationist.  The  very  recollection  of  it,  more  than  forty 
years  after,  starts  the  perspiration.  Scarcely  a  word  was 
spoken  in  crossing  this  distance.  Sometimes  the  gait  was  a 
fast  walk,  sometimes  a  dog-trot.  The  officers  were  not  a 
little  astonished  to  see  the  General-in-Chief  approaching  on 
foot  from  this  direction,  and  no  time  was  now  lost  in 
sending  orders  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops. 


Major  Oliver  C.   Bosbyshell. 


or  THE 
UNIVERSITY 


ADDENDA  353 

ANTIETAM— FORTY-EIGHTH    PENNSYLVANIA    VOLUNTEER 

INFANTRY 

The  dedication  services  were  held  at  twelve  o'clock  noon 
of  the  seventeenth  of  September,  1904,  and  were  attended  by 
some  thirty-six  survivors  of  the  command,  besides  being 
honored  by  the  presence  of  Governor  Pennypacker  of  Penn 
sylvania,  the  members  of  his  military  staff,  and  many  ladies 
and  gentlemen  visitors.  The  following  programme  pre 
viously  arranged  was  carried  out  in  detail: 

PENNSYLVANIA    DA  Y 

Antietam,  Maryland 

Saturday,  September  i?thf  1904 

48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania   Veteran   Volunteer  Infantry 

ORDER  OF  EXERCISES 

Dedication   of  Monument, 

Saturday,  September  I7th,  1904,  at  11.30  a.  m., 

Oliver   C.   Bosbyshell,   late   Major,   presiding. 

Prayer — Rev.   Samuel  A.  Holman,  D.  D.,   late   Chaplain. 

Remarks  by  Chairman  and   Unveiling  of  the  Monument, 

by  Cadet  Frank  Lincoln  Nagle,  U.  S.  M.  A., 

Grandson  of  General  James  Nagle. 

Address — Major  William  R.  D.  Blackwood,  late  Surgeon. 

Singing  of  "America,"  by  the  audience. 

Benediction. 

In  accordance  with  this  programme  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell, 
called  the  meeting  to  order  in  the  following  remarks: 

Comrades:  Acknowledging  the  great  goodness  of  the 
Divine  Power  in  permitting  me  to  be  in  the  enjoyment  of 
health,  with  all  my  faculties  alert,  forty-two  years  after  the 
mighty  deeds  enacted  on  this  historic  field,  I  am  profoundly 
grateful  in  presiding  at  this  meeting.  This  magnificent 
tribute  to  the  valor  of  the  48th  made  possible  through 
the  generous  contribution  of  the  grand  old  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  touches  the  hearts  of  the  few  survivors  of 
the  beloved  Regiment  as  no  other  action  of  our  noble  State 
could  do.  It  emphasizes  the  fact  that  notwithstanding  the 
years  that  have  passed  the  deeds  of  its  citizen  soldiery  are  in- 

23 


Monument   erected    by   the   Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  Branch 

Avenue,    Antietam    Battlefield,    to    commemorate   the    services   of 

the  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  Pennsylvania    Veteran    Volunteers. 

Dedicated  September  17th,  1904. 


ADDENDA  355 

tensified  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  its  people,  and  prompts 
this  exhibition  of  its  gratitude.  It  tells  the  present  generation 
of  the  loyalty  displayed,  and  teaches  future  generations  that 
the  Commonwealth  does  not  forget  the  sacrifices  made  by 
its  sons  in  defending  its  interests  unto  death — a  lesson  to 
strengthen  patriotic  love  of  State  and  Country — an  outward 
and  visible  sign  of  great  and  glorious  principles  vindicated 
by  the  deeds  here  performed  by  the  men  of  Pennsylvania  in 
the  shedding  of  their  blood  and  shattering  of  their  health. 

The  man  the  48th  honors  by  placing  his  statue  to 
mark  the  spot  it  maintained  in  the  fight,  honors  the 
48th  in  turn.  The  organizer  and  disciplinarian  who  brought 
his  command  to  the  highest  point  of  efficiency  amongst  the 
Ninth  Corps  organizations,  the  foremost  soldier  of  old 
Schuylkill  County,  Brigadier  General  James  Nagle,  well 
deserves  this  meed  of  praise  bestowed  upon  him. 

Let  all  assembled  here  renew,  with  the  added  fervor 
of  the  blessed  years  added  to  our  lives,  allegiance  to  that 
flag  of  the  dead  of  Antietam  upheld  and  maintained. 

My  duty  is  not  to  recite  the  wonderful  tale  of  endurance 
through  the  terrible  battle  we  do  honor  to-day — that  story 
is  left  to  abler  hands;  but  I  am  to  see  that  these  proceedings 
are  conducted  in  a  proper  manner. 

Rev.  Samuel  A.  Holman,  D.  D.,  formerly  Chaplain  of  the 
regiment,  offered  the  following  prayer : 

O,  God,  Our  Heavenly  Father,  Thou  art  the  source  of  all 
our  blessings,  and  the  Sovereign  Ruler  over  all  Thy  crea 
tures.  As  Thou  dost  control  the  destiny  of  nations,  we  thank 
Thee  that  Thou  hast  placed  us  under  a  government  which  pro 
tects  our  life  and  property,  which  has  established  peace  and 
liberty  throughout  the  land,  and  which  enables  us  to  worship 
Thee  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  conscience.  These  bless 
ings  have  been  secured  to  us  through  the  courage  and 
patriotism  which  Thou  gave  to  those  who  imperilled  their  lives 
to  secure  the  heritage  we  enjoy.  We  come  to  Thee  on  this 
battlefield,  the  scene  of  bitter  struggle,  in  which  those  who 
fought  for  the  unity  and  integrity  of  these  United  States  were 
triumphant;  and  on  this  forty-second  anniversary  of  that 


356  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

eventful   day,  we  are  assembled  here  to   commemorate  the 
victory  which  was  then  achieved.     As  we  are  taught  to  look 
to  Thee   for  guidance  and  assistance  in  the  discharge  of  every 
duty,  we  envoke  Thy  divine  blessing  as  we  engage  in  the  ser 
vice  of  dedicating  this  monument,  erected  by  the  Common 
wealth  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  memory  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
48th,  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Volunteers,  who  participated 
in  the  sanguinary  battle  of  Antietam.     May  this  monument 
with  the  other  memorials  which  are  placed  here  by  a  grateful 
people,  endure  through  the   coming  years  of  time,  and  teach 
those   of  future  generations,  who  may  tread  this  hallowed 
ground,  that  those  who  suffer  or  die  for  their  country  shall  ever 
be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  and  that  their  sacrifice  shall 
not  have  been  in  vain.    We  thank  Thee  for  the  gallant  com 
mander  who  organized  the  regiment,  who  led  it  in  the  earlier 
battles  of  the  war,  who  was  commissioned  as  a  General  on 
this  field  the  day  it  was  won,  and  whose  statue  surmounts 
the  monument  before  us.     We  thank  Thee,  that  he  was  a 
brave  soldier  and  a  sincere  Christian,  and  that  he  left  such  a 
legacy  of  his  character  to  his  comrades,  to  his  family  and  to 
his  country.     Graciously  remember  the  widows  and  orphans 
of  the  soldiers  of  this  regiment  which  we  have  come  to  honor. 
Comfort  them  by  Thy  grace  in  their  bereavement  and  min 
ister  to  their  temporal  and  spiritual  wants.     Remember  the 
survivors  of  this  regiment  in  their  declining  years.     Wherever 
they  are  to-day,  may  they  recognize  Thy  providence  in  sparing 
their  lives  through  the  perils  of  war;  and  as  they  are  now 
permitted  to  see  the  prosperity  and  peace  of  a  united  nation, 
may  they  acknowledge  that  they  were  instruments  in  Thy 
hands  in  securing  in  some  measure,  the  blessings  we  possess. 
Ere  long  they  shall  follow  their  departed  comrades  to  the 
eternal  world,  grant  that  they  and  we,  through  repentance 
toward  Thee  and  through  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus   Christ, 
may  be  made  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  of 
light.     Amen. 

SURVIVORS    OF    ANTIETAM 

Major  William  R.  D.  Blackwood,  Surgeon  of  the  regi 
ment,  made  the  following  address: 


ADDENDA 


357 


Forty-two  years  ago,  yesterday  and  to-day,  the  hills  and 
vales  around  this  historic  spot  resounded  with  the  whiz  of  the 
bullet  and  the  shriek  of  the  shell  as  two  of  the  greatest  armies 
which  till  that  time  had  fought,  faced  each  other  on  the  field 
of  battle.  Upon  the  issue  of  that  struggle  depended  much 
more  than  had  in  any  previous  encounter,  a  question  mo 
mentous  not  alone  to  the  troops  engaged  but  to  the  Nation 
itself.  Were  the  soldiers  under  General  Robert  E.  Lee 


Survivors   of   the    Forty-eighth    Regiment    at    the     Dedication     of    the 
Monument  at  Antietam  Battlefield,   September   17th,   1904. 

victorious  (and  we  have  learned,  my  gallant  comrades,  to 
recognize  the  bravery  of  our  enemy,  although  that  bravery 
was  held  in  a  bad  cause),  then  the  fate  of  two  dominant  cities — 
Philadelphia  and  New  York— must  have  been  sealed  unless 
through  a  miracle — they  would  have  been  wiped  off  the  face 
of  the  earth  in  the  then  spirit  of  the  foe. 

Washington  would,  of  course,  have  fallen,  and,  thus  losing 
our  Capital,  the  outcome  of  such  a  calamity  would  have  gone 
hard  with  us  through  the  action  of  foreign  nations.  The 


358  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Southern  Confederacy  would  undoubtedly  have  been  recog 
nized.  Many  of  us  may  not  subscribe  to  this  view— nay,  some 
of  my  most  captious  critics  may  hold  that  such  could  not 
transpire  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  hand,  but  the 
opinions  of  able  students  of  war  hold  to  this  opinion.  Until 
the  struggle  at  Antietam  had  actually  began,  and  for  many 
anxious  hours  during  the  fight  the  authorities  at  Washington 
were  largely  in  the  dark  as  to  the  aim  of  the  enemy,  just  as 
afterward  at  the  so  called  "turning  point"  of  the  war — Get 
tysburg — they  did  not  know  precisely  what  the  Confederates 
had  in  view,  and  these  two  battles,  Antietam  and  Gettysburg, 
were  fought  largely  as  an  accident,  although  for  a  time  both 
armies  had  been  marching  in  parallel  lines,  and  the  engage 
ments  were  brought  more  to  determine  the  then  situation 
than  to  engage  in  a  conflict  on  ground  previously  selected 
by  either  army.  McClellan — "Little  Mac,"  the  idol  of  the 
army,  had  now  assumed  command,  and  with  his  great  power* 
of  organization  much  was  expected  from  him.  In  but  little 
over  two  weeks  after  the  disastrous  combat  at  Groveton — the 
second  Bull  Run,  he  had  now  to  win  or  lose  the  great  battle 
of  Antietam — one  of  the  bloodiest  of  the  war,  and  one  passed 
into  history  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  modern  conflicts.  Under 
his  reorganization  the  men  were  in  high  spirits,  particularly 
the  regiments  from  Pennsylvania,  who  believing  that  the  in 
vasion  of  their  State  would  be  a  disgrace  if  permitted  to  be 
come  an  assured  fact,  girded  themselves  for  the  fray,  and 
well  it  was  so,  for  the  real  brunt  of  the  trial  at  arms  was 
borne  by  the  men  of  the  Keystone  State. 

Time  does  not  admit  of  a  generalization.  I  consider  at 
once  the  part  borne  in  the  immortal  struggle  by  our  Penn 
sylvania  men,  and  not  the  least  of  these  was  the  famous  regi 
ment  formed  largely  by  those  who,  forsaking  their  labor  far 
down  beneath  the  surface  of  the  earth  crept  up  from  the 
stygian  darkness  to  the  blinding  glare  of  the  exploding  can 
non,  shell  and  bullets,  and  who  bore  in  the  four  years  fray 
their  full  share  of  all  that  mortal  man  could  do  for  the  pre 
servation  of  the  land  they  loved,  and  the  honor  of  their 
glorious  flag — the  flag  that  knows  no  stain. 


ADDENDA  359 

Antietam  followed  closely  after  the  second  Bull  Run  and 
South  Mountain  engagements  which  were  especially  hard 
upon  our  men,  who  were  somewhat  discouraged  by  the  loss  of 
two  grand  heroes,  Kearney  and  Reno.  The  opening  of  the 
battle  was  substantially  on  the  afternoon  of  the  sixteenth,  when 
Hooker  crossed  the  creek  on  the  extreme  Confederate  left 
flank.  Meeting  with  little  opposition  he  established  his  posi 
tion  so  as  to  be  ready  for  the  morning,  when  something  was 
expected  to  be  done.  Mansfield  followed  Hooker  and  estab 
lished  himself  about  a  mile  to  the  rear.  Hooker  opened 
early  on  the  seventeenth  by  an  attack  upon  Jackson,  strongly 
posted  in  a  dense  woods.  He  drove  the  Confederates  back 
promptly  with  a  severe  loss  to  them,  but  they  took  position 
in  another  block  of  timber  and  an  outcrop  of  rocks  scat 
tered  over  the  field  gave  them  considerable  protection.  Being 
strong  in  artillery,  the  enemy  was  able,  soon  after  Hooker 
started,  to  drive  him  back,  together  with  part  of  Mansfield's 
corps — the  General  being  killed  and  Hooker  wounded.  The 
tide,  however,  changed  about  ten  in  the  morning  when  Sedg- 
wick  reoccupied  the  ground  lost  by  us  early  in  the  day — in 
fact,  regained  somewhat,  and  drove  Jackson  and  Hood  to 
the  rear.  By  noon  the  fight  had  become  quite  warm  on  the 
centre,  when  Barlow,  with  his  gallant  New  York  regiments 
had  won  the  sunken  road — an  important  position,  and  now 
we  know,  whether  or  not  we  did  then,  that  a  prompt  charge 
along  the  whole  line  would  have  settled  the  victory  then  and 
there,  but  it  was  not  done.  During  the  early  part  of  the  day 
the  Qth  Corps  had  been  holding  the  left  of  our  line,  and  the 
action,  though  not  continuous,  was  hot  at  times.  McClellan 
saw  that  only  prompt  and  decisive  work  upon  our  part  against 
the  Confederates'  right  would  avail,  hence  he  ordered  Burn- 
side  to  attack  with  all  his  force.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
we  were  on  what  might  be  called  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
creek  which  resembles  the  loosened  string  of  a  bow,  the 
Potomac  being  the  bow  with  its  apex  at  Shepherdstown. 
The  original  plan  of  the  commanding  General  had  been  to 
make  the  attack  on  both  flanks  of  the  enemy  at  once,  and 
when  an  apparent  unsteadiness  was  ascertained  in  their 


360  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

ranks,  then  to  throw  our  whole  force  against  the  rebel  centre, 
but  unforeseen  delays  prevented  the  success  of  this  plan. 
Adverse  comment  has  been  made  against  the  energy  of  Burn- 
side  in  his  operations  against  the  Confederate  flank,  but  it  is 
not  known  that  the  noble  commander  of  the  Ninth  Corps 
was  not  to  blame  for  any  delay,  if  such  there  was,  because 
Franklin  should  have  been  within  supporting  distance  long 
prior  to  the  attack  upon  the  historic  bridge,  but  when  he  did 
not  show  up  till  fully  four  hours  after  he  was  looked  for,  and 
when  the  Qth  Corps  received  orders  to  go  in  for  the  cap 
ture  of  the  other  side  of  the  field  across  the  creek,  it  did  its 
work,  and  did  it  well.  To  cross  the  Antietam  one  has  to 
traverse  quite  a  crooked  road  before  reaching  the  bridge, 
which  is  about  150  to  175  feet  long,  It  is  of  rubble  stone, 
having  three  arches,  the  general  aspect  of  the  structure  being) 
in  itself  an  arch  supported  by  two  piers  and  the  long  abut 
ments.  Room  for  troops  crossing  the  structure  is  lacking, 
because  it  is  not  over  fifteen  feet  wide  in  any  part,  but  the 
road  which  runs  parallel  to  the  creek  on  the  eastern  side 
is  much  wider  than  that.  Hence  the  troops  had  to  decrease 
their  front,  after  getting  actually  on  the  bridge,  and  the  at 
tacking  force  became  a  column  instead  of  a  deployed  front 
in  line.  , 

The  obvious  advantage  to  the  enemy  is  at  once  apparent. 
In  addition  to  this  the  formation  of  the  ground  on  the  western 
slope  was  greatly  in  favor  of  the  Rebels,  the  land  rising  sharply 
to  a  height  of  some  hundred  feet  or  more.  The  ascent  is 
over  a  stony  cliff — probably  the  place  was  used  formerly  as 
a  quarry — evidences  looking  that  way.  The  rocky  formation 
afforded  a  complete  shelter  to  the  enemy,  and  they  were  in 
strong  force  with  artillery  posted  upon  the  crest,  the  defenders 
having  some  four  to  six  good  regiments  commanded  by 
Toombs.  They  claim  to  have  had  but  two  small  commands 
to  oppose  us,  but  the  fallacy  of  this  attitude  is  shown  by 
the  loss  they  sustained  even  giving  them  the  advantage  of 
the  works  thrown  by  nature,  for  if  their  story  is  true,  then 
they  lost  every  man,  as  the  ground  after  we  took  it  was  lit 
tered  with  dead,  and  more  than  that  number  of  Johnnies  was 


ADDENDA  361 

found  by  us  after  we  captured  the  position.     The  Rebels  were 
brave — but  not  so  brave1  as  all  that  infers. 

The  48th  Regiment  before  the  historic  charge,  was  posted 
in  a  corn  field,  not  far  above  the  stream,  this  field  being 
fenced  in  with  the  usual  snake  arrangement,  and  a  couple 
of  corn  sheds  afforded  some  shelter  whilst  quiescent,  but  the 
descent  to  the  water  side  was  open  and  free  from  cover  of  any 
sort.  The  6th  New  Hampshire,  and  the  2nd  Maryland  began 
the  attack  on  the  bridge,  supported  by  the  48th,  the  5ist 
Pennsylvania  and  the  5ist  New  York.  These  regiments 
drew  the  attention  of  the  Confederates  away  from  the  charg 
ing  lines  to  some  extent,  but  not  enough  to  prevent  a  galling 
fire  upon  the  line  of  attack,  and  the  gallant  men  were  driven 
back  by  terrifiic  storms  of  lead  and  iron.  As  soon  as  the 
confused  troops  were  gotten  out  of  the  way  a  second  attack 
was  made,  this  time  by  the  5ist  New  York,  and  the  5ist 
Pennsylvania  under  General  Hartranft — that  splendid  soldier 
whom  we  all  loved  so  well.  Instead  of  charging  along  the 
tortuous  road  he  sent  the  line  directly  down  from  behind  the 
position  of  the  48th  which  afforded  the  attacking  men  cover 
for  a  short  while.  This  time  the  attack  was  a  success,  and 
the  48th,  was  close  behind  the  column  as  it  shot  over  the 
bridge,  and  it  did  its  full  share  in  driving  the  enemy  from 
their  pits  and  works,  on  the  face  of  the  hill  and  from  their 
tenable  position  on  the  crest  of  the  eminence.  Had  the 
enemy  stubbornly  maintained  their  advantage  it  would  have 
taken  an  army  corps  instead  of  part  of  a  brigade  to  dislodge 
them,  to  say  nothing  of  driving  them  so  far  behind  the  lines 
west  of  the  declivity.  Having  gained  the  top  of  the  hill  the 
Federal  troops  were  scattered  out  as  skirmishers  to  a  large 
extent,  and  for  a  while  the  conflict  did  not  partake  of  more 
than  a  duel  between  the  lines,  the  artillery  being  quite  active, 
and  doing  considerable  harm  to  us.  Soon  after  a  short  rest 
a  New  York  regiment  went  in  at  a  charge  in  our  front  and 
established  a  new  line  forward  of  the  crest,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  48th  was  slated  for  another  effort.  Relieving  the 
9th  New  Hampshire  it  crawled  up  the  rising  grounds  slowly, 
aided  by  the  5ist  Pennsylvania,  but  the  ammunition  of  this 


362  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

regiment  giving  out  we  were  placed  in  front  of  it,  and  not 
long  afterward  our  supply  gave  out,  too,  and  a  retrograde 
movement  took  place  to  the  other  side  of  the  creek,  but  as 
soon  as  the  cartridge  boxes  were  replenished  the  boys  went 
back  to  the  extreme  front  and  stayed  there  all  night.  The 
48th  and  the  5ist  were  supported  by  Hartranft's  regiments, 
and  we  looked  anxiously  for  the  promised  reinforcements 
which  McClellan  said  would  relieve  us,  but  they  did  not 
eventuate.  On  the  eighteenth  the  48th  was  in  about  the 
same  position  as  on  the  day  previous,  but  the  firing  was 
mostly  of  skirmishing.  The  battle  of  Antietam  was  prac 
tically  over,  and  we  now  had  time  to  look  up  our  losses.  The 
brave  boys  found  many  vacant  places  in  the  ranks,  we  had 
a  full  share  of  casualties  to  prove  where  we  had  been,  and 
what  we  did.  The  Federal  loss  was  1 1,426  killed  and  wounded 
— the  Confederates  somewhat  lower — about  10,000.  The  Qth 
Corps  fared  the  worst  because  of  its  exposed  positions 
throughout  the  fray,  and  from  the  nature  of  the  ground 
charged  over  at  the  critical  points  during  the  engagement. 
On  the  nineteenth  the  48th  moved  once  again  over  the  site 
of  the  previous  two  days'  fighting,  and  marched  closely  up  to 
the  village.  At  this  time  the  merited  and  (for  ourselves), 
the  coveted  promotion  of  Colonel  Nagle  eventuated — he  won 
his  star  as  a  Brigadier  General.  Never  did  a  soldier  win  the 
distinction  through  a  harder  road — for  his  whole  time  of  ser 
vice  this  more  than  brave  gentleman  and  splendid  soldier 
devoted  his  every  energy  to  the  cause  for  which  he  left  his 
home  and  family,  and  supported  by  his  gallant  men,  he  won 
imperishable  fame.  May  his  Almighty  Father  perpetuate  his 
glorious  deeds  as  long  as  the  records  of  war  shall  survive,  to 
cause  others  to  emulate  his  magnificent  example.  To-day 
we  celebrate  the  attainment  of  his  glory — a  glory  to  him  and 
a  glory  to  us  who  can  never  forget  his  leadership — may  the 
granite  which  we  now  dedicate  to  his  memory  remain  till 
time  shall  be  no  more  on  this  historical  field  where  so  many 
Pennsylvania  heroes  gave  their  all  to  the  defence  of  the 
land  they  loved  and  the  Flag  they  adored. 

Very  much  might  be  told  about  the  gallant  conduct  of 


ADDENDA  36S 

the  noble  men  of  our  "Schuylkill  County  Miners,"  in  this 
great  conflict — much  more  than  the  time  allotted  to  me  will 
permit.  But,  with  so  many  brave  boys  around  us  as  we  talk, 
it  would  be  invidious  to  praise  one  regiment  when  others  who 
feel  that  they  were  equally  good  are  just  waiting  for  the 
opportunity  to  jump  on  us  and  to  show  beyond  the  ability  of 
myself — your  dreadfully  inefficient  representative  this  time — 
for  you  know,  my  friends,  that  I  was  not  much  of  a  talker — • 
or  those  who  more  ably  can  present  our  indubitable  claims 
to  doing  what  saved  the  day  had  we  not  done  it,  and  now  that 
we  are  in  such  a  happy  frame  of  mind  it  would  be  cruel  to 
take  from  the  other  Pennsylvania  boys  the  slightest  meed  of 
praise  simply  to  boost  our  own — no;  my  comrades,  there 
was  glory  enough  on  this  day — forty-two  years  ago — to  go 
round,  and  to  make  us  all  feel  that  we  were  not  the  only  peb 
ble  on  the  beach,  even  if  we  don't  say  so  out  loud.  The  48th 
has  the  cinch  elsewhere — how  about  that  hole  in  the  ground 
before  Petersburg?  Didn't  the  great  engineer  at  the  head  of 
the  corps  of  so-called  sappers  and  miners  say  that  we  couldn't 
go  fifty  feet  into  that  hill-side,  and  when  I  laughed  in  his  face, 
didn't  he  want  to  know  what  caused  my  risibility?  You  bet 
he  did,  but  he  didn't  learn  it  just  then  for  having  within  a  few 
minutes  prior  to  this  lucubration  come  out  after  measuring 
the  drift  I  found  that  we  were  in  precisely  two  hundred  and 
sixty-four  feet,  to  say  nothing  about  the  odd  five-eighths  of 
an  inch.  None  of  the  Keystone  troops  can  share  in  that  ar 
rangement  which  "raised"  more  Johnnies  for  the  time  than 
all  their  recruiting  officers  did  in  a  year.  I  do;  but,  as  our 
worthy  Chaplain  is  more  of  an  expert  on  that  question  than 
myself,  I  will  leave  the  explanation  to  him,  whatever  he  says 
about  matters  of  faith  and  morals  goes. 

Whilst  carrying  a  message  as  a  volunteer  aide-de-camp 
from  one  part  of  the  field  to  another  I  met  a  general  officer 
(who  I  think  was  Ferrerro — that  paragon  of  neatness,) 
and  in  company  with  him  for  a  few  yards  we  passed  a  soldier 
who  was  ardently  hugging  a  fallen  log  from  one  of  the  revet 
ments  of  the  rifle-pits.  Ferrerro  in  a  tone  of  thunder  ex 
claimed,  "What  in  thunder  are  you  doing  there?  Go  to  your 


364  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

post  at  once,  you  so  and  so:"  Did  he  go? — not  much.  He 
replied — putting  the  fingers  and  thumb  of  his  right  hand  to 
his  nasal  appendage,  and  wiggling  them  vigorously — "I  don't 
guess  not ;  yer  want  to  get  here  yerself."  As  it  was  hot 
just  then,  both  in  the  way  of  temperature  and  projectiles,  too, 
I  leave  the  propriety  of  the  answer  to  yourselves  for  eluci 
dation.  The  General  passed,  and  the  Yankee  held  the  pot 
Many  ludicrous  things  of  this  sort  could  be  referred  to,  but 
I  don't  care  to  tire  you  by  extended  remarks.  As  we  lay 
upon  the  ensanguined  field  the  melody  of  that  beautiful  war 
song  thrilled  our  souls: 

We  are  tenting  to-night  on  the  old  camp  ground, 

Give  us  a  song  of  cheer, 

Our  weary  hearts — a  song  of  home 

And  friends  we  love  so  dear. 

Many  are  the  hearts  that  are  weary  to-night, 

Waiting  for  the  war  to  cease, 
Many  are  the  hearts  looking  for  the  right — 

To  see  the  dawn  of  peace. 

Tenting  to-night,  tenting  to-night, 
Tenting  on  the  old  camp  ground. 

We've  been  fighting  to-day  on  the  old  camp  ground, 

Many  are  tying  near; 

Some  are  dead,  and  some  are  dying, 

Many  are  in  tears. 

Many  are  the  hearts  that  are  weary  to-night, 

Wishing  for  the  war  to  cease, 
Many  are  the  hearts  looking  for  the  right — 

To  see  the  dawn  of  peace. 

Dying  to-night,   dying  to-night, 
Dying  on  the  old  camp  ground. 

Through  the  dim  vista  of  years  gone  by  I  remember  the 
night  when,  wearied  by  the  strenuous  work  of  the  week  just 
past  I  lay  down  to  rest,  if  rest  we  might,  amid  the  snipping 
bullet  and  the  murmur  of  the  mighty  host,  simulating  the 
ever  active  voice  of  the  restless  sea,  and  when  the  darkness 
came  I  lay  thinking  of  the  days  now  gone,  and  the  maybe 
anxious  to-morrow,  adding,  it  might  be,  to  the  ensanguined 
horrors  of  the  hours  just  past.  The  watchful  picket  trod 


ADDENDA  365 

his  weary  round,  and  soon,  as  though  in  answer  to  man's 
fratricidal  fray  the  artillery  on  high  in  fury  rent  the  clouds 
in  bursts  of  lurid  flame;  and  crashing  thunder  reverberating 
with  deafening  echo  through  the  glen  from  peak  to  peak, 
and  rock  to  rock,  shook  all  the  hills  afar.  Then  cutting  sheets 
of  pitiless  rain  hid  the  wild  scene  from  view,  yet,  through  it 
all,  the  wearied  army  slept.  But  now  in  wild  rage,  the  flying 
storm  passed  on,  and  through  the  lowering  darkness  pierced 
the  pale  rays  of  the  harvest  moon,  as  slowly  it  rose  above  the 
hilly  crests,  driving  before  it  as  it  crept  down  the  crags  the 
shadows,  till  with  flood  of  silver  light  it  illumined,  brighter 
and  brighter,  the  now  brilliant  scene  in  radiant  glory,  for  on 
bush  and  tree  pellucid  raindrops  as  they  hung  were,  as  by 
enchantment,  turned  to  myriad  glittering  jewels,  reflecting 
in  their  crystal  depths  the  royal  zone  of  twinkling  stars  above 
that  span  the  firmament  with  lambent  flame,  to  light  the  way 
from  earth  to  Heaven.  "Forever  singing  as  they  shine — the 
hand  that  made  us  Divine."  The  birds  that  frightened 
cowered  to  the  earth  as  the  mighty  wind  rushed  through 
their  leafy  coverts  now  sought  again  their  nest;  the  startled 
game  which  driven  from  their  wildwood  fastness  by  tearing 
shot  and  crashing  shell  amid  the  battle  crept  stealthily  to 
their  hidden  lair  to  lick  the  wounds,  perhaps  received  from 
cruel  man  in  maddening  strife;  the  cricket  chirped;  the 
muffled  note  of  horned  owl  was  heard ;  from  dense  thicket 
came  the  plaintive  note  of  gentle  dove — a  grateful  calm  o'er- 
spread  the  land — and  still  the  weary  army  slept.  As  thought 
now  drowsy,  flitted  through  the  mind,  of  weary  watchers 
waiting  the  dawn  of  peace — of  homes  once  happy,  yet  now  for 
ever  wrecked — of  void  in  loving  heart  from  which  the  light 
had  fled  I  was  glad  for  this,  at  least,  that  some  of  those  so 
dear  to  us  afar  would,  in  mercy  mayhap,  see  not  the  blight 
and  horror  of  dread  war,  and  as  slumber  came  at  last  to 
tired  brain  I  dreamed: 

'Then   let   the   stricken    deer    go    weep, 

The  heart  ungalled   play; 
For  some  must  watch  while  others  sleep, 

So  runs  the  world  away." 

And  now  when  time  approaching  the  span  of  a  lifetime 


S66  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

has  elapsed  since  we  met  in  anger  upon  this  fateful  ground, 
let  us,  Federal  and  Confederate,  thank  the  Almighty  God 
who  controls  the  affairs  of  men  that  peace  abounds  through 
out  the  land  from  centre  to  circumference,  and  that  in  our 
united  brotherhood  we  know  no  North — no  South — no  East 
— no  West — we  are  one  in  all  that  makes  our  nation  great. 

"The  close  of  the  day  is  coming  on,  a  gentle  stillness  falls 

Upon  the  landscape  as  we  gaze — the  whippoorwill  now  calls, 

Its  plaintive  note  unto  its  mate — a  tender,  loving  lay, 

The  silken  clouds  trend  toward  the  west — the  blue  fades  into  gray. 

Again,  the  dawn  of  morning  comes,  the  rising  sun  appears, 

The  scene  is  gilded  brilliantly,  each  bush  is  hung  with  tears 

Of  diamond  dew,  which  on  them  fell  before  the  daybreak  new, 

The  stars  dissolve  amid  the  light — the  gray  fades  into  blue. 

Sunset  and  dawn  recur  each  day,  and  days  fall  into  year-i, 

And  life  and  death  are  ever  here — it  may  be  joy,  or  tears, 

Then  let  us  live  as  live  we  should — fraternal,  loyal,  true; 

Past  enemies  are  now  our  peers — the  gray  fades  into  blue. 

Four  decades  long  have  passed  away  since  war  engulphed  our  land, 

Prosperity  rules  everything — our  honor — it  is  grand ; 

Then,  Comrades  of  the  North  and  South,  clasp  hands — forget  the  fray — 

We're  brothers  now  in  war  or  peace — the  blue  blends  with  the  gray." 

DESCRIPTION   OF  THE   MONUMENT— BRANCH   AVENUE 

The  48th  statue  is  of  bronfce,  cast  at  the  foundry  of 
Messrs  Bureau  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  and  is  an  excellent 
portrait  of  Brigadier  General  James  Nagle,  U.  S.  V.,  who 
was  the  organizer  and  first  Colonel  of  this  regiment,  and  com 
manded  the  ist  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  9th  Army  Corps,  at 
this  battle. 

Mr.  Albert  T.  Bureau,  the  artist,  has  faithfully  copied  the 
details  of  features,  and  uniform  of  General  Nagle,  being  fre 
quently  in  touch  with  his  sons — particularly  Mr.  James  W. 
Nagle,  who  in  the  uniform  his  father  wore  when  serving  in  the 
Civil  War,  posed  for  the  model  of  this  statue.  The  pedestal 
for  this  memorial  is  composed  of  three  stones,  and  is  seven 
feet  square  at  the  base,  and  ten-feet  high,  and  together  with 
the  seven-foot  four-inch  tall  bronze  statue  of  General  Nagle, 
is  seventeen  feet  four  inches  high  over  all. 

On  the  front  face  of  the  die  stone  is  a  large  bronze  regi 
ment  inscription  tablet  bearing  the  following: 


ADDENDA  367 

FORTY-EIGHTH      PENNSYLVANIA      VOLUNTEER      INFANTRY, 
FIRST  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  NINTH  CORPS 

LOCATION— 385  YARDS  SOUTH,  70  DEGREES  EAST. 
CASUALTIES  AT  ANTIETAM 

Killed 8 

Wounded    51 

Missing   I 

Total    60 

Organized,  August- September,  1861 — Mustered  out,  July  I7th,  1865. 
Recruited  in  Schuylkill  County 

BATTLES  PARTICIPATED  IN 

Newberne  Spottsylvania 

Second  Bull  Run  North  Anna 

Chantilly  Totopotomv 

South  Mountain  Bethesda  Church 

Antietam  Cold  Harbor 

Fredericksburg  Petersburg 

Blue  Springs  Weldon  Railroad 

Campbell's  Station  Poplar  Spring  Church 

Siege  of  Knoxville  Boydton  Plank  Road 

Wilderness  Assault  on  Petersburg 

Dug  Petersburg  Mine 
Commenced  June  25th — Exploded  July  30,    1864. 

On  the  rear  panel  of  the  die  stone  a  small  bronze  tablet 
recites  the  following  services  of  General  Nagle.  to  wit: 

JAMES  NAGLE, 

Organiser  and  First  Colonel  of  this  Regiment. 
Received  Commission  as  Brigadier  General  of  Volunteers  on  the 

Battlefield  of  Antietam,  September  17,  1862. 

Captain  Company  B,  1st  Penna.  Regiment,  War  with  Mexico. 

Colonel  6th,  48th,  sgth  Penna.  Militia,  194th  Regiment,  Penna. 

Volunteers,  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
Born  April  5th,  1822— Died  August  22nd,  1866. 

All  exposed  surfaces  of  the  pedestal  of  this  monument 
is  fine  hammered  work.  On  the  second  base  or  plinth  stone 
can  be  seen  the  Qth  Army  Corps  badge  in  bold  relief. 


368  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

UNVEILING  CEREMONIES  OF  AN  IMPOSING  BRONZE  STATUE, 

JUNE  20,  1907— ERECTED   BY  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

PENNSYLVANIA    VETERAN     ASSOCIATION 

IN  PRINCE  GEORGE  COUNTY,  VIRGINIA. 

The  monument  erected  on  the  Davis  Farm  in  Prince 
George  County,  on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  Road,  near  Fort 
Mahone,  by  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  Veterans 
Association  to  the  memory  of  Colonel  George  W.  Gowen, 
and  other  members  of  the  regiment  who  were  killed  in  battle 
durnjing  the  Civil  War.  At  5 130  o'clock  A.M.  Governor  Edwin 
S.  Stuart,  of  Pennsylvania,  arrived  on  a  special  train  from 
Washington,  accompanied  by  his  staff  officers,  in  full  uniform. 
Governor  Stuart's  Staff  present  at  the  unveiling  was: 
Adjutant  General  Thomas  J.  Stewart,  Colonels  Frank  K. 
Patterson,  Sheldon  Potter,  Albert  J.  Logan,  and  Edward 
Morrell;  and  Lieutenant  Colonels,  Lewis  T.  Brown,  Walter 
T.  Bradley,  Fred  Taylor  Pusey,  C.  A.  Rook,  H.  L.  Haldeman, 
Lewis  E.  Beitler,  John  R.  Wiggins,  J.  Warner  Hutchins, 
and  James  Archibald.  Also  Color  Sergeant  Jacob  Greene. 

The  Governor  and  his  staff  stopped  at  the  Stratford 
Hotel.  Later,  another  train  brought  a  party  of  three  hundred 
or  more,  two  hundred  of  whom  were  members  of  the  48th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  Association,  the  others  being  ladies 
and  other  friends  of  the  Association. 

About  half-past  nine  o'clock  Governor  Swanson  arrived 
from  Richmond  and  rode  up  from  the  Union  station  in  a 
carriage  with  Congressman  Francis  Rives  Lassiter  to  the 
Stratford,  where  Governor  Swanson  met  Governor  Stuart, 
and  Lieutenant  Governor  Murphy. 

FORMATION  OF  LINE  AND  PARADE 

About  9:30  o'clock  the  line  for  the  parade  was  formed 
on  Bollingbrook  Street,  between  Sycamore .  and  Second 
Streets,  and  half  an  hour  later  the  march  was  taken  up  in  the 
following  order: 

General  Stith  Boiling,  Chief  Marshall,  and  aides,  A.  P.Hill 


Regimental     Monument    at    Petersburg,    Va. 


24 


370  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Camp  drum  corps,  Petersburg-  Greys,  Governor  Stuart  and 
Governor  Swanson  in  a  carriage,  carnages  in  which  were 
seated  Governor  Stuart's  and  Governor  Swanson's  staff 
officers.  (Governor  Swanson's  staff  officers  were:  Adjutant 
General  Chas.  J.  Anderson,  Eugene  Massuchip;  Chief  of  Staff, 
Colonel  George  Cameron;  James  V.  Bickfield,  Colonel  A.  R. 
Moody,  Colonel  Charles  Bowie.)  Next  came  two  carriages 
in  which  were  seated  Mrs.  Otelia  Mahone  McGill,  Miss  Bessie 
B.  Reid  and  Congressman  Francis  Rives  Lassiter,  A.  P.  Hill. 
Camp  Confederate  Veterans,  White  Ribbon  Cadet  Band, 
members  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  Association. 

The  line  of  march  was  up  Bollingbrook  Street  to  Syca 
more  Street  to  the  corner  of  Sycamore  and  Wythe  Streets, 
where  the  Pennsylvania  Veterans  and  the  A.  P.  Hill  Camp 
took  the  electric  cars  for  the  terminus  of  the  electric  railway 
line  in  Blandford,  from  which  point  they  were  taken  in  tally- 
hos  and  wagons  'to  the  monument  grounds.  Those  in  car 
riages  rode  out  to  the  grounds  in  the  vehicles  they  occupied. 

The  sidewalks  all  along  the  line  of  march  were  blocked 
with  people,  who  cheered  the  two  Governors  and  the  Veterans 
lustily. 

AT   THE    MONUMENT 

The  exercises  at  the  monument  were  attended  by  about 
twelve  hundred  people  who  paid  the  strictest  attention  to  the 
speakers.  The  assemblage  was  called  to>  order  by  Major  Frank 
R.  Leib,  chairman  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Asso 
ciation,  who  presided.  The  exercises  were  opened  with  prayer 
by  Rev.  A.  A.  DeLong,  chaplain  of  the  48th  Re'giment. 

PROGRAM 

UNVEILING  OF  MONUMENT 

OF    THE 

48TH    PA.     REGT.   V.   V.    INF. 
AT  PETERSBURG,  Va.  THURSDAY,  JUNE  20,  1907. 

Music,  ....  Selected 

Petersburg  Band 


ADDENDA  371 

Prayer      .     .     Rev.  A.  A.  DeLong,  Chaplain  of  the  48th  Regiment 
Address  of  Welcome,      .       .       General  Stith  Boiling, 

of  A.  P.  Hill  Camp  C.  V.  A. 

Response,     .     .     Adjt.  General  Thomas  J.  Stewart,  of  Pennsylvania 
Music  ....  Selected 

Petersburg  Band 
Transfer  of  the  Monument  by  the  Committee  to  the  48th. 

Regt.  P.  V.  Asso.,         .         .        Frank  R.  Leib,  Chairman 
Unveiling,      .       .       Miss  Bessie  B.  Reid,  daughter  of  R.  A.   Reid, 

48th  Regt.  Penna.  Vet.  Vols.,  and 
Mrs.     Otelia     Mahone     McGill,     daughter    of 

General  Mahone. 
Acceptance  of  Monument  and  Presentation  of  Same  to  the 

State  of  Penn.,  Col.  Daniel  Nagle,  Prest.  48th  Regt.  Asso. 
Acceptance  of  Monument  and  Placing  Same  in  Custody  of 

State  of  Virginia,     .     Hon.  Edwin  S.  Stuart,  Gov.  of  Penna. 
Acceptance  of  Custody  of  Monument     .     .     Hon.  Claude  A.  Swanson, 

Gov.  of  Virginia 
Music,  ....  Selected 

Petersburg  Band 

Oration,  .  .  .  Comrade    Prof.    S.    A.    Thurlow 

Prayer  and   Benediction,         .         .         Rev.   W.    MaC.   White,   D.D. 

ADDRESS    OF    WELCOME 

This  was  followed  by  the  address  of  welcome  by  General 
Stith  Boiling,  who  spoke  as  follows: 

Mr.    Commander,    Comrades    of    the    Blue    and    the    Gray,    Ladies    and 

Gentlemen: 

Standing  upon  these  lines  made  historic  by  the  gigantic  struggle 
of  two  armies  commanded  respectively  by  the  two  greatest  captains 
of  this  or  any  age,  and  upon  this  spot  made  memorable  by  the  name 
of  one  of  the  most  brilliant  Major  Generals  of  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  who  for  more  than  thirty  years  was  a  distinguished  and 
honored  citizen  of  Petersburg,  General  William  Mahone,  I  am 
almost  amazed  at  the  position  I  now  occupy  before  you,  for  on 
that  fatal  day,  April  2,  1865,  when  these  lines  were  broken,  and  our 
decimated  army  gathered  itself  together  for  its  last  retreat,  only  to 
surrender  seven  days  thereafter  at  Appomattox,  my  wildest  dreams 
could  not  have  conceived  the  idea,  that  forty-two  years  after  I  had 
sheathed  my  sabre  forever  that  I  should  here  upon  this  spot  welcome 
with  heartfelt  sincerity  the  faithful  soldiers  of  the  48th  Regiment 
from  the  Keystone  State,  who  come  here  to  honor  a  gallant  soldier, 
who  fell  upon  this  field.  But  I  am  here  in  discharge  of  that  pleasant 
duty  which  I  most  cheerfully  perform.  As  evidence  that  the  van- 


ADDENDA  373 

quished  are  as  honest  in  their  acceptance  of  defeat  as  they  were  in 
the  long  conflict  which  they  waged  against  you,  and  although  this 
union  was  made  indissoluble  by  blood  and  iron  against  their  will, 
R.  E.  Lee  told  them  that  it  must  be  their  country,  its  flag  their  flag, 
and  that  they  should  live  and  labor  for  its  honor  and  welfare.  They  have 
obeyed  the  injunctions  of  their  beloved  chieftain  since  the  close  of 
hostilities  with  the  same  faithfulness  they  were  wont  to  obey  his 
battle  orders.  They  are  now  heroes  in  peace  as  they  were  heroes  in 
war,  and  as  such  and  in  their  name  I  extend  to  you  a  most  cordial 
greeting  and  hearty  welcome.  And  I  extend  to  all  others  who  have 
assembled  here  to-day  to  unite  with  you  in  paying  tribute  to  that 
gallant  officer  whose  monument  you  have  assembled  here  to-day 
to  unveil,  Colonel  Gowen,  a  cordial  welcome.  And  we  feel  especially 
honored  at  the  presence  here  to-day  of  the  Chief  Executive  of  the 
Keystone  State  and  the  Chief  Executive  of  this  Old  Dominion,  each 
ready  to  pay  tribute  to  the  brave,  regardless  of  the  side  on  which 
they  fought!  My  comrades,  do  we  need  any  better  evidence  of  the 
greatness  of  the  American  soldier  than  we  have  presented  here  to 
us  to-day,  by  the  mingling  together  of  the  old  soldiers  of  two  of 
the  greatest  armies  known  to  the  world,  who  a  few  years  ago  were 
on  this  same  field  in  deadly  combat,  seeking  each  other's  blood  in 
defence  of  a  cause  which  each  believed  to  be  right.  And  as  a  further 
evidence  of  the  absence  of  all  sectional  feeling  between  the  sol 
diers  of  these  great  armies  we  have  here  to-day  the  accomplished 
daughter  of  that  Confederate  soldier,  General  Mahone,  who  by  his 
unerring  generalship  and  his  brave  men  rendered  such  valuable 
service  in  checking  for  months  the  advance  of  that  magnificent  army 
of  General  Grant.  She  is  here  to-day  as  a  representative  of  her  father 
and  the  brave  men  he  led,  to  unite  with  the  accomplished  daughter 
of  that  gallant  Union  soldier,  Mr.  Reid,  in  paying  tribute  by  aiding 
in  removing  the  veil  from  the  statue  of  that  gallant  officer,  Colonel 
Gowen,  who  for  months  faced  her  father  in  deadly  strife.  My  friends, 
what  a  subject  this  would  be  for  some  great  artist  who  could  catch 
the  situation  in  all  its  details  and  put  in  enduring  shape  this  happy 
representation  of  a  joyous  consummation  of  a  reunited  country,  in 
which  there  is  a  generous  mingling  upon  the  old  battlefield  of  Peters 
burg,  of  those  who  wore  the  blue  under  the  magnanimous  Grant, 
and  those  who  wore  the  gray  under  the  peerless  Lee.  As  you  stand 
to-day  upon  this  historic  spot  and  recall  those  days  of  martial  strife 
in  which  many  of  you  were  participants,  what  a  flood  of  memories 
are  awakened,  and  how  the  recollections  of  the  past  come  up  before 
you.  How  the  scene  is  changed,  and  how  unlike  the  picture  now  to 
what  it  was  when  the  artillery  echoed  over  these  plains.  Then  you 
were  received  in  the  face  of  shot  and  shell,  and  when  you  did  force 
your  unwelcome  visit  on  us,  we  considered  you  intruders  and  left 


374  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

you  in  disgust,  and  made  our  way  to  Appomattox  where  you  over 
took  us  and  by  your  persuasive  manner  induced  us  to  make  friends. 
And  I  must  say  that  your  terms  for  friendship  were  the  most  liberal 
ever  granted  a  defeated  army.  And  I  am  glad  to  know  both  sides 
carried  out  the  agreement  there  made.  And  from  then  until  now  we 
have  lived  under  that  flag  in  peace,  and  union,  and  prosperity,  and 
with  increasing  glory.  But  I  must  say  that  if  you  had  not  carried 
out  your  part  of  the  bargain,  I  feel  very  much  like  saying  as  an  old 
Confederate  soldier  did  after  getting  his  parole  at  Appomattox. 
You  now  come  as  welcome  guests,  and  are  received  by  the  hands 
of  your  former  foes,  who  give  you  a  cordial  grasp  and  are  ever 
ready  to  seal  their  welcome  with  comrade  love  and  affection.  The 
prophecy  of  that  gallant  Federal  officer,  General  Horace  Binney 
Sergeant,  has  been  fulfilled.  He  said  in  a  speech  on  a  memorial 
occasion  in  Boston  more  than  forty  years  ago,  that  the  day  would 
come  when  that  anniversary  would  be  celebrated  after  some  day  of  glory, 
when  the  sons  of  the  South  and  the  sons  of  the  North  shall  have 
fallen  side  by  side  in  some  common  cause  of  foreign  war,  as  our 
sires  anH  their  sires  fell  side  by  side  under  the  eye  of  the  great 
Virginian,  Washington.  That  prophecy  was  fulfilled  in  the  late  Span 
ish-American  War.  There  the  sons  of  the  North  and  the  sons  of 
the  South  fell  side  by  side  and  poured  out  their  blood  not  under 
two  flags  as  '6i-'65,  but  under  one  flag  for  the  glory  of  a  united 
country.  And,  my  friends,  I  want  you  to  take  back  to  your  homes 
the  message  that  those  old  Confederate  soldiers  whose  forms  are 
bent  by  the  weight  of  years,  and  whose  locks  are  silvered  by  time, 
are  as  loyal  to  the  Union  and  the  Flag  of  our  Country  as  are  those 
who  fought  for  it.  But  while  true  to  the  Union  and  the  Flag  of  our 
Country,  I  thank  God  that,  he  will  ever  remain  loyal  to  his  old 
comrades.  He  yet  dearly  loves  the  sunny  land  he  lives  in,  and  ten 
derly  cherishes  the  memories  and  traditions  of  the  South,  and  is 
proud  of  his  history,  and  achievements  of  her  noble  men  and  women, 
his  tattered  banner  and  his  sword  have  been  laid  away  forever,  but 
his  army  record  will  always  be  his  pride.  Such  he  is  and  such  he 
will  ever  be,  and  as  such  he  will  ever  meet  you  and  cordially  greet 
you  as  his  friend  and  fellow  countryman,  with  whom  he  has  a  com 
mon  interest  in  the  greatness  and  glory  of  our  common  country. 
A.nd  while  he  ever  prizes  his  army  record  and  the  privilege 
of  meeting  his  old  comrades  around  the  camp  fire  and  talking  over 
the  four  most  eventful  years  of  his  life  and  paying  tribute  to  his  dead 
and  living  comrades,  he  will  ever  remain  loyal  to  his  country  and 
his  country's  flag.  Who  knows  better  than  yourselves,  my  friends 
of  the  Union  army,  that  commemorating  the  brave  days  of  your 
military  youth  and  honoring  the  brave  men  who  touched  elbows 
with  you  and  the  gallant  officers  who  led  you  are  among  the  sweetest 


ADDENDA  375 

privileges  of  your  declining  years.  You  meet,  you  gather  around 
your  camp  fires  and  sing  your  war  songs,  you  honor  your  leaders 
and  weep  your  tears  of  memory.  But  it  is  not  to  revive  dead  issues, 
it  is  not  to  gloat  over  your  once  enemies,  it  is  not  to  taunt  a 
fallen  foe,  it  is  to  gratify  one  of  the  deepest  and  most  honorable 
feelings  of  man,  the  desire  to  cherish  and  preserve  the  memories 
of  the  brave  days  and  brave  companions  of  youth.  And  I  want  to 
see  these  reunions  and  camp  fires  kept  up  by  both  sides  until  the  last 
old  soldier  has  answered  to  his  last  roll  call.  Nothing  has  done  more 
to  obliterate  sectional  feelings  between  the  North  and  South  than  the 
exchange  of  visits  and  the  mingling  together  of  the  soldiers  of  the  blue 
and  gray.  And  we  are  pleased  to  see  you  erecting  monuments  here  to  the 
memory  of  the  gallant  men  who  fell  in  honorable  combat  with  us. 
I  want  to  see  them  erected  by  both  sides  all  over  these  his 
toric  battlefields  around  Petersburg,  whose  soil  nearly  every  inch 
of  which  has  been  consecrated  to  history  by  the  best  blood 
of  America.  My  friends,  and  while  erecting  monuments  to  our  great 
leaders,  let  us  not  forget  the  private  soldier,  the  bone  and  sinew 
of  all  countries,  the  most  precious  possession  it  is  a  country's  honor 
to  hold,  he  fought  for  no  private  gain,  he  seldom  got  praise  or 
glory,  and  in  thinking  over  his  lot,  I  am  reminded  of  a  seamen,  who, 
when  his  ship  had  stripped  for  battle,  fell  upon  his  knees  and  offered 
up  this  prayer,  "O  Lord,  don't  let  any  shells  hit  this  ship.  But  if 
any  must  hit  it,  O  Lord,  I  pray  you  to  distribute  them  as  all  prize 
money  is  distributed,  mostly  among  the  officers."  And  so  was  the 
glory  of  hard  fought  battles  too  often  distributed.  These  monuments 
are  not  only  a  tribute  to  the  dead,  but  a  source  of  pride  and  inspir 
ation  to  the  living.  Lord  Macauley  never  uttered  a  more  important 
truth  than  when  he  said  that,  "A  people  who  take  no  pride  in  the 
achievements  of  their  ancestors  will  never  achieve  anything  worthy 
to  be  remembered  by  their  descendants."  And  I  say  in  the  language 
of  Senator  Lamar,  of  Mississippi,  in  the  hall  of  Congress  soon  after 
the  war,  when  Mr.  Sumner,  of  Massachusetts,  had  favored  amnesty 
to  his  vanquished  brethren  of  the  South  and  graciously  proposed 
that  the  names  of  the  fields  where  the  Union  forces  triumphed  should 
be  stricken  from  their  flags.  Mr.  Lamar  expressed  the  gratitude  of 
the  Southern  people  for  such  an  act  of  self-renunciation  and  voiced 
the  sentiment  of  the  Southern  people  when  he  said :  They  do  not  wish, 
they  do  not  ask  the  North  to  strike  the  mementoes  of  their  heroism 
and  victories  from  their  records,  or  monuments,  or  battle  flags.  They 
would  rather  that  both  sections  should  gather  up  the  glories  won  by 
each  section  not  envious,  but  proud  of  each  other's  records,  and 
regard  them  as  a  common  heritage  of  American  valor.  And  so  we 
say  to-day,  yes,  both  sides  have  a  record  that  every  American  soldier 
can  point  to  with  pride.  Yes,  a  record  for  valor  and  dauntless 


376  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

heroism  that  not  only  won  the  admiration  of  all  the  people,  but  made 
our  country  the  pride  and  fear  of  the  whole  world.  To  neither  side 
belonged  all  the  valor  and  victories,  both  won  victories  and  both 
suffered  defeats.  We  old  soldiers  on  both  sides  know  that  if  we 
had  not  sometimes  run,  many  of  us  would  not  be  here  to-day.  We 
are  now  all  Americans,  and  this  is  our  country,  and  after  living 
more  than  forty  years  of  peace  and  happiness  under  the  flag,  such 
changes  have  been  wrought  in  our  hearts  that  when  we  meet  we  do 
not  question  each  other  very  closely  as  to  which  side  we  fought  on, 
but  rather  do  we  try  to  emulate  the  example  of  our  great  command 
ers,  who  have  passed  away,  their  dying  hands  outstretched  in  bene 
diction  upon  friend  and  foe  alike.  And  the  two  men  who  merits 
and  receives  our  contempt,  is  the  one  that  asks  an  apology  and 
the  one  that  makes  an  apology  for  the  side  on  which  he  fought.  I 
have  read  an  old  German  legend,  that  long  after  a  fierce  and 
deadly  battle,  in  which  the  heroism  and  bravery  of  the  Teutons  knew 
no  bounds,  the  spirits  of  the  dead  slain  in  battle  fought  in  the  clouds, 
and  the  sounds  of  their  clashing  arms  echoed  back  to  earth  to  cheer 
the  drooping  spirits  of  the  living  and  urge  them  to  never  despair. 
You  and  I,  soldiers  of  the  North  and  soldiers  of  the  South,  as  we 
stand  upon  this  old  battle  ground  to-day,  listen  not  for  such  echoes 
from  the  sky  above  to  urge  us  to  continued  conflict.  But  rather  do 
we  hail  the  soft  still  echoes  of  that  voice,  which  just  before  hushed 
in  death,  and  as  the  warrior  soul,  weary  of  conflict,  and  anxious 
for  all  bitterness,  all  sorrow  and  tears  to  be  wiped  away,  exclaimed 
with  last  expiring  gasp,  "Let  us  have  peace."  And  so  say  we  all  to-day. 

RESPONSE  TO  THE  ADDRESS  OF  WELCOME 

The  following  is  the  address  of  Thomas  J.  Stewart,  Adju 
tant  General  of  Pennsylvania,  in  response  to  the  address 
of  welcome  delivered  by  General  Boiling,  at  Petersburg, 
Virginia,  June  2Oth,  1907: 

Mr.  Chairman,  General  Boiling,  Soldiers  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania, 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

If  General  Boiling  had  nothing  credited  to  him  in  the  way  of  a 
victory,  he  certainly  has  one  "Yank"  pretty  badly  scared  just  now, 
by  his  magnificent  eloquence;  but  amid  the  fear  that  possesses  and 
that  somewhat  unnerves  me,  I  have  nerve  enough  left  to  express 
my  appreciation  of  the  high  honor  that  comes  to  me  in  being  desig 
nated  to  speak  for,  and  represent  these  survivors  of  the  48th  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers,  and  these  men  and  women  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  are  here  to-day,  and  who  have  just  been  so 
eloquently  welcomed  by  General  Boiling,  on  behalf  of  the  people 
of  Virginia. 


ADDENDA  377 

Many  of  us  have  been  here  before,  under  very  different  circum 
stances.  These  survivors  of  the  48th  Regiment  tried  to  get  into 
Petersburg  forty-three  years  ago;  they  knew  they  were  forcing 
themselves  upon  you,  and  they  did  not  expect  any  such  welcome  as 
they  received  to-day: 

As  a  boy,  sixteen  years  of  age,  wearing1  the  uniform  of  a  private 
soldier  in  the  Union  Army,  the  badge  of  the  old  6th  Corps  shining 
on  my  cap,  I  lay  in  the  line  of  blue,  ready  for  the  assault  upon  the 
Confederate  works,  waiting  for  the  signal  gun  to  be  fired  from  Fort 
Fisher,  on  that  fateful  morning  in  April,  1865.  I  confess  at  that 
time,  I  did  not  see  any  use  of  being  in  such  a  hurry  to  get  into 
Petersburg.  I  would  have  been  willing  to  wait  until  now;  and  how 
much  more  pleasant  this  would  have  been  for  all  of  us.  Those  days 
of  the  early  sixties  were  fateful  days — now  happily  passed. 

To-day  we  journey  here  in  peace,  to  raise  a  memorial  and  a  tribute 
to  the  days  and  men  of  war:  days  rich  in  heroic  achievement,  days  of 
unsurpassed  bravery,  out  of  whose  mighty  tumult  and  carnage  there 
was  wrought  and  shaped  the  undying  fame  and  glory  of  the  American 
volunteer  soldier,  both  in  blue  and  in  gray. 

Round  about  us  are  heroic  fields.  Round  about  us  the  dead  of 
both  armies  sleep,  while  the  living  survivors  of  the  war-worn  and 
veteran  legions  of  Grant  and  Lee  are  gathered  here  fraternally,  recall 
ing  the  incidents  of  that  great  struggle.  These  men  gaze  again  upon 
the  unforgetable  pictures  that  have  hung  these  many  years  upon  the 
chamber  walls  of  their  memory;  and  to-day,  they  and  we  thank  God 
that  the  sword  has  been  sheathed,  the  cannon  silenced,  the  muskets 
stacked,  the  war-flag^  furled,  and  that  once  again,  in  glorious  Virginia, 
Pennsylvania  is  welcome. 

Here  are  "Yank"  and  "Johnnie,"  but  no  picket  to  fire  a  hostile 
shot,  no  mine  to  be  dug,  no  charge  to  be  made  or  repulsed,  no  line 
forming  for  a  bloody  assault,  no  defiant  flags,  no  planning  for  battle, 
no  hissing  bullet,  screaming  shell,  or  flashing  blade. 

"The  war  cries  of  the  captains  give  place  to  happy  reapers'  shouts; 
The  clover  whitens  bastion,  and  the  olive  shades  redoubts." 

You  have  your  graves,  your  shrines,  your  holy  places;  and  we 
have  ours.  Hard  by  are  the  graves  of  your  dead  and  hard  by  are  the 
graves  of  our  dead. 

"Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 

Waiting  the  judgment  day; 
Under  the  one  the  Blue; 

Under  the  other  the  Gray." 

Touched  deeply,  as  we  are,  General  Boiling,  by  your  magnificently 


378  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

eloquent  address  of  welcome,  we  do  not  forget  that  we  are  within 
the  gates  of  the  "Old  Dominion"  of  Virginia ;  that  Virginia  over  whose 
bosom  and  through  whose  valleys  the  tide  of  mighty  battle  ebbed  and 
flowed  for  four  long,  bloody  years ;  that  Virginia  that  gave  to  the  cause 
we  opposed  its  greatest  leader  and  the  mightiest  chieftain;  that  Virginia 
whose  mountains  raise  their  heads  more  grandly  because  of  great 
achievements  wrought  upon  their  side,  and  of  the  mighty  dead  who 
sleep  upon  their  very  crest;  that  Virginia  whose  rivers  flow  with 
more  majestic  sweep  to  the  sea,  because  of  the  sacrificial  blood  that 
has  mingled  with  their  waters;  that  Virginia  within  whose  keeping  we 
shall  leave  our  memorial  and  tribute,  confident  no  vandal  hand  will 
mar  .its  beauty,  none  will  fail  to  understand  its  meaning  and  signifi 
cance,  or  to  divine  its  purpose. 

Men  of  Virginia,  you  and  we,  marching  south  and  north  from 
Appomattox,  have  been  for  more  than  four  decades,  marching  away 
from  war;  and,  paradoxical  as  it  may  seem,  yet  we  have  been  coming 
closer  and  closer  together,  year  by  year  and  day  by  day. 

Pennsylvania  has  journeyed  in  peace  to  Shiloh  and  Chickamauga,. 
to  Fredericksbnrg  and  Antietam,  to  Vicksburg  and  Gettysburg,  and 
has  placed  there,  in  enduring  form,  the  tribute  of  the  Commonwealth 
to  her  warrior  sons,  living  and  dead. 

To-day  we  are  at  Petersburg,  and  with  us,  the  Chief  Executive  oi 
the  State;  and  he  is  met  by  the  Chief  Executive  of  Virginia;  they 
the  chosen  representatives  of  the  people  of  both  Commonwealths. 
The  story  of  this  day,  with  its  tribute  and  its  ceremonies,  with  its- 
gl<3rious  welcome  and  its  generous  and  unstinted  hospitality,  will  be 
read  and  re-read  by  the  men  of  the  days  yet  to  be;  and  they  will  no- 
doubt  wonder  why  it  was  and  how  it  was  that  such  men,  framers 
of  the  same  laws,  sons  of  the  same  soil,  sharers  of  the  same  glories, 
early  followers  of  the  same  flag,  ever  drew  apart  and  for  four  long 
years  sought  each  others'  lives  and  waged  a  war,  the  story  of  which 
is  the  most  tragic  in  the  world's  history.  The  more  they  wonder, 
the  more  they  will  be  impressed  with  the  high  character  and  unmatched 
bravery  and  comradeship  of  the  American  soldier,  both  in  Blue  and 
Gray;  the  more  and  the  better  will  they  understand  and  know  that  the 
wjhite  heat  of  battle  and  the  fiery  furnace  of  war  were  the  refining 
and  purifying  processes  that  have  made  us  all  better  men  and  women, 
better  citizens,  and  better  Americans. 

With  the  past  behind  us,  its  grief  swept  away,  its  wounds  healed,, 
its  scars  smoothed  out — a  smile  on  war's  wrinkled  front — we  turn  our 
faces  to  the  coming  days  that  shall  gather  the  sons  of  the  North  and 
the  sons  of  the  South,  the  veterans  of  the  South  and  the  veterans  of 
the  North,  under  the  Star  Spangled  Banner  of  the  Fathers,  and 
recognize  it  as  the  banner  of  a  united  people,  with  one  God,  one  flag,, 
one  hope,  one  destiny;  a  banner,  that,  if  unfurled  in  war,  will  be 


ADDENDA  379 

defended  by  not  only  the  sons  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  but  by 
the  sons  of  all  the  States,  an  army  and  a  people  invincible  and 
unmatched,  and  before  whom,  like  the  heart  of  Bruce,  will  always 
be  the  inspiration  of  those  fateful  days  of  war,  out  of  whose  mighty 
achievements  you  gathered  your  heroes,  and  we  gathered  ours. 

To-day  the  descendants  of  Grant  and  Lee,  of  Jackson  and 
Sheridan,  carry  the  nation's  sword  under  the  authority  and  commis 
sion  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  To-day  the  men  of  the 
48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  their  foes  of  other 
days  are  laughing  and  glad  in  the  enjoyment  of  that  fraternity  and 
comradeship  known  only  to  brave  men,  all  full  of  gratitude  for  the 
safety  in  our  homes,  for  the  glory  in  our  flag,  for  the  peace  in  our 
land,  for  the  hope  we  have  in  the  future,  and  for  the  blessings  secured, 
and  the  glorious  institutions  saved  and  made  permanent  and  enduring. 

And  now,  in  the  presence  of  these  living  soldiers  of  both  armies, 
and  in  the  presence  of  that  silent  host,  invisible  to  our  eyes,  but  who 
in  garments  of  purity  and  peace  always  attend  the  gatherings  of  their 
comrades  of  the  brave  days  of  old,  I  accept  your  most  generous  and 
cordial  welcome,  and  for  the  living  and  the  dead  soldiers,  I  thank  you. 

Oh!  that  the  men  who  fell  on  this  and  those  who  fell  on  other 
fields,  and  whose  young  and  promiseful  lives  went  out  amid  the 
tumult  and  the  carnage  of  those  awful. days  were  here  in  body,  as 
we  know  they  are  in  spirit.  If  it  is  given  to  the  departed,  as  we 
believe  it  is,  to  revisit  former  scenes,  they  are  with  us,  and  with  us 
rejoice  in  this  reunion  and  they  will  receive  our  message  of  love  and 
know  they  are  not  forgotten. 

I  bring  to  Virginia,  the  greetings  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  stars 
crept  into  the  blue  field  of  the  nation's  flag,  when  first  its  fojds  were 
kissed  by  heaven's  sunlight.  They  were  there  in  the  early  morning 
of  the  nation's  day  of  glory,  and  they  are  there  yet,  two  of  the 
original  thirteen.  Others  have  followed,  and  more  are  coming;  and 
from  Pennsylvania  I  bring  the  prayer  that  the  Star  Spangled  Banner 
may  be  the  flag  of  all  the  people;  that  the  memories  and  glories  that 
cluster  round  it  may  keep  us  united  in  that  great  spirit  of  national 
unity  and  national  brotherhood,  united  in  one  great  purpose;  and 
that  the  growth,  the  honor,  the  glory  of  this  Republic  may  be  perpetu 
ated;  and  may  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  sanctified  by  sacrifice, 
purified  by  trial,  inspired  by  the  glories  of  the  past,  move  forward 
with  confident  and  steady  step  into  that  future  that  shall  cherish  the 
memory  of  the  brave  men  whose  doing,  daring,  and  dying  are  the 
nation's  heritage  of  glory,  and  whose  deeds  of  valor  are  the  pride, 
the  strength  and  the  glory  of  their  State. 

Again,  Governor,  General  Boiling,  people  of  Virginia,  for  those 
I  represent,  I  thank  you. 


X! 


ADDENDA  381 

•  ' 

TRANSFER  OF  THE   MONUMENT 

The  transfer  of  the  monument  by  the  committee  to  the 
48th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Association,  was  made 
by  Major  Frank  R.  Leib,  chairman,  who  spoke  as  follows: 

Colonel  Daniel  Nagle,  Prest.  48th  Regt.,  P.  V.  V.,  and  Comrades : 

About  two  years  ago,  you  appointed  a  committee  to  devise  ways 
and  means  to  erect  a  monument  on  this  spot  in  honor  and  in  memory  of 
your  comrades,  who  fell  on  April  2nd,  1865,  in  the  charge  on 
Fort  Mahone. 

Through  the  efforts  of  you,  comrades,  and  the  good  people  of 
Pottsville,  the  school  children  of  Schuylkill  County,  Penna.,  and  with 
the  kind  assistance  of  Captain  Featherstone,  of  Lynchburg,  Va.  who 
visited  us  in  our  mountain  home  and  delivered  a  lecture  on  the 
"Battle  of  the  Crater"  for  the  benefit  of  monument  fund,  we  were  able  to 
secure  the  amount  necessary.  Then  again,  we  are  indebted  to  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  for  transportation  here  and  to  our  Governor  for  honor 
ing  us  with  his  presence  to  take  part  in  the  ceremonies  to-day. 

We  are  also  under  obligations  to  the  entire  State  of  Virginia, 
for  the  honor  conferred  upon  us  by  its  Governor,  who  is  present 
to-day  to  take  part  in  these  exercises  in  honor  of  the  brave  men 
of  our  Regiment,  who  fell  on  this  field  in  battle.  We  are  under  obli 
gations  to  Captain  Bishop,  General  Boiling,  Mr.  Walsh,  Major  Lassi- 
ter  and  in  fact  to  the  good  people  of  Petersburg  for  their  many 
acts  of  kindness  and  services  to  help  make  this  occasion  a  success. 

We  are  especially  indebted  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis,  Mrs.  Griffith, 
and  Mr.  Gray,  who  so  kindly  gave  us  the  ground  on  which  to  erect 
our  monument  and  the  markers. 

Your  committee  in  planning  for  the  erection  of  this  monument, 
about  to  be  unveiled  and  the  two  tablets  at  the  Crater  and  the  entrance 
to  the  Mine,  have  discharged  the  duty  assigned  to  them  to  the  best  of 
their  ability  and  now,  Mr.  President,  it  affords  me  pleasure  to  turn 
over  to  you  this  monument. 

MONUMENT  UNVEILED 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Leib's  address,  the  monument  was 
unveiled  by  Miss  Bessie  B.  Reid,  daughter  of  Mr.  R.  A.  Reid, 
48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  Mrs.  Otelia  Mahone  McGill, 
daughter  of  General  William  Mahone.  After  the  monument 
had  been  unveiled,  the  Petersburg  Grays  fired  three  rounds. 

THE    MONUMENT 

The  monument  is  20  feet  8  inches  from  base  to  the  top 
of  the  figure.  The  granite  base  is  12  feet  square;  2nd  base 


382  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

8  feet  4  inches  square;  the  die  is  6  feet  7  inches  high  by  4 
feet  square,  surmounted  by  the  bronze  figure  of  an  officer, 
at  parade  rest,  8  feet  high. 

The  monument  faces  north,  looking  toward  Fort  Ma- 
hone.  On  the  north  side  is  a  bronze  tablet  containing  this 
inscription:  "Erected  by  the  surviving  comrades,  school 
children  and  citizens  of  Schuylkill  County,  Pa.,  and  dedicated 
to  the  memory  of  the  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers."  "Colonel  George  W.  Gowen,  killed  in  action  in  front  of 
Fort  Mahone,  April  2nd,  1865.  Aged  25  years." 

On  the  east  side  of  the  monument  is  the  following  in 
scription  on  a  bronze  tablet:  "48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,  ist  Brigade,  2nd  Division, 
Burnside's  gth  A.  C.  Mustered  in  September  3rd,  1861, 
mustered  out  July  I7th,  1865."  And  around  a  bronze  medal 
lion:  "Brevet.  Brigadier  General  Henry  Pleasants,  of  the  48th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers,"  with  the 
Pennsylvania  coat  of  arms  beneath. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  monument  is  a  bronze  plate, 
containing  a  representation  of  the  opening  of  the  mine  at 
the  Crater. 

The  monument  cost  approximately  $5,000,  and  is  the 
handsomest  memorial  of  the  kind  in  this  section.  Major  Frank 
R.  Leib,  of  Harrisburg;  Mr.  Robert  A.  Reid,  of  Pottsville, 
and  Colonel  Daniel  Nagle,  of  Pottsville,  were  the  chairman, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  respectively,  of  the  monument  com 
mittee,  and  to  them,  is  due  the  lion's  share  of  praise  for  its 
successful  erection. 

ACCEPTANCE    OF    MONUMENT 

The  monument  was  accepted  and  the  same  presented  to 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  by  Colonel  Daniel  Nagle,  Presi 
dent  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  Association,  who 
spoke  as  follows: 

Mr.  Chairman: 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  at  this  time  to  receive  this  beautiful 
memorial  from  your  hands,  in  behalf  of  the  Survivors'  Association  of 
the  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers. 


ADDENDA  383 

Our  thanks  are  due  the  Petersburg  monument  committee  for 
their  untiring  and  successful  efforts,  in  erecting  this  monument  to  the 
memory  of  the  fallen  heroes  of  our  regiment. 

And,  although  you,  Mr.  Chairman,  in  behalf  of  our  Association, 
the  public  school  children,  the  public  press  the  patriotic  citizens, 
our  comrades  of  Sdhuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  our  friend, 
Captain  John  C.  Featherstone,  of  Lynchburg,  Virginia,  who  by  his 
excellent  lecture  on  the  Crater,  delivered  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania, 
the  headquarters  of  the  regiment,  very  materially  increased  the  funds, 
thus  enabling  us,  before  we  too  joined  the  silent  army,  to  pay  tribute 
to  our  dead,  by  placing  on  this  historic  and  hallowed  ground  of  old 
Virginia,  this  monument. 

And  to  his  excellency,  Edwin  S.  Stuart,  Governor  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  it  is  my  pleasure  and  duty  on  behalf  of  our  Association  to 
transfer  this  plot  of  ground  and  monument,  that  you  may  in  turn 
transfer  the  same  to  His  Excellency,  Claude  A.  Swanson,  Governor 
of  Virginia,  to  remain  in  the  care  of  the  State,  when  in  some  future 
time  the  national  government  shall  purchase  this  historic  ground  for 
a  National  Park,  when  the  same  shall  be  placed  in  the  care  of  the 
nation  as  a  memorial  for  all  time  to  come  of  the  heroism  and  valor 
of  the  American  soldier. 

GOVERNOR    STUART    SPEAKS 

The  monument  was  accepted  and  placed  in  the  custody 
of  the  State  of  Virginia  by  Governor  Stuart,  who  spoke  very 
briefly.  He  said  he  knew  the  monument  would  be  as  safe  in 
Virginia  from  the  hands  of  vandals,  as  it  would  be  in  Penn 
sylvania.  The  Governor  expressed  his  highest  appreciation 
of  the  hospitality  which  has  been  extended  to  him  and  the 
visitors  from  his  State  by  the  people  of  Petersburg,  and  said 
as  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  he  wished  to  return  the 
thanks  of  that  State  to  the  people  of  this  city,  for  their  great 
courtesy  and  kind  treatment. 

Governor  Swanson,  General  Boiling,  Soldiers  of  Virginia,  Soldiers  of 

Pennsylvania,  Ladies   and   Gentlemen: 

I  have  pleasure  in  being  here  to-day  as  Govenor  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
transfer  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  for  safe  keeping,  this  magnificent 
testimonial  to  the  heroism,  bravery,  and  patriotism  of  the  men  of  the 
48th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry.  The 
thought  which  impresses  me  greatly  at  this  time  is  the  splendid  recep 
tion  which  has  been  tendered  to-day  to  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  by 
the  Governor  and  the  people  of  Virginia,  and,  for  the  Commonwealth  of 


384  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

Pennsylvania,  I  return  sincere  thanks  for  the  courtesies  received  at 
your  hands.  After  listening  to  the  speech  of  welcome  from  General 
Boiling,  I  think,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible,  we  will  return  to  our 
homes  better  Americans  than  we  ever  were  before. 

Governor  Swanson,  it  is  my  pleasure  to  transfer  to  your  keeping 
this  memorial  erected  in  honor  of  the  soldiers  of  Pennsylvania,  those 
who  died  on  this  field,  and  those  who  survived,  knowing  that  you  will 
have  the  same  regard  and  pride  in  looking  after,  and  watching  over, 
this  monument,  as  though  it  were  your  own,  and  confident  that  the 
people  of  Virginia  will  cherish  it  as  a  tribute  to  the  valor  of  the 
American  soldier,  and  will  find  in  its  purpose  and  meaning  a  lessening 
of  the  breach  that  once  existed  between  the  sections  of  our  land,  and 
thus  bring  the  brave  men,  North  and  South,  together  under  one  flag. 
To  the  care  and  keeping  of  Virginia,  we  leave  this  tribute;  and,  as  we 
return  to  our  homes,  we  shall  cherish  the  fraternal  hospitality  and 
association  of  this  occasion  and  hold  in  sweet  remembrance  the  welcome 
we  have  this  day  received  at  your  hands. 

ACCEPTANCE  OF  CUSTODY  OF   MONUMENT 

The  custody  of  the  monument  was  accepted  by  Governor 
Claude  A.  Swanson  in  a  most  excellent  speech,  which  was 
loudly  applauded.  Governor  Swanson  told  his  hearers  that 
the  monument  would  be  absolutely  safe  here,  and  that  no 
hand  would  deface  it. 

Address  of  Governor  Claude  A.  Swanson,  of  Virginia,  at 
the  unveiling  of  the  monument  of  the  48th  Regiment,  Penn 
sylvania  Veteran  Volunteers,  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  June, 
20,  1907: 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  This  is  indeed  a  pleasing  task  which  is 
assigned  to  me.  If  there  is  anything  a  Virginian  worships,  if  there 
is  anything  a  Virginian  loves,  it  is  heroism,  valor,  and  courage,  and 
a  man  ever  willing  to  give  all  for  his  convictions  and  beliefs. 

The  history  of  this  Commonwealth  from  Jamestown  to  Appo- 
mattox  shows,  for  his  convictions,  that  a  Virginian  is  willing  at  all 
times  to  sacrifice  life  and  property — that  is  the  most  a  man  can 
give —  and  I  am  proud  of  America,  proud  of  North  and  South,  be 
cause  each  was  brave  enough  to  make  immense  sacrifices  for  its 
convictions  and  beliefs. 

I  am  glad  to  have  in  Virginia  this  beautiful  memorial  of  valor 
and  courage,  erected  in  memory  of  your  fallen  comrades,  and  I 
promise  you  that  it  will  be  cherished  by  our  people,  that  it  shall 
be  well  taken  care  of,  not  only  as  a  monument  to  your  Regiment, 
but  to  Virginia  and  the  nation.  I  would  feel  that  I  had  but  poorly 


ADDENDA  385 

represented  my  State,  if,  after  listening  to  the  magnificent  addresses 
of  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  and  Adjutant  General  Stewart,  I 
did  not  tell  them  that  their  eloquent  remarks  strike  a  responsive 
chord  in  the  heart  of  every  true  Virginian. 

The  nation  is  more  united  at  this  time  than  it  has  ever  been 
before  in  its  entire  history.  It  was  one  of  Virginia's  noble,  favorite 
sons,  Patrick  Henry,  who,  when  a  member  of  the  First  Continental 
Congress  held  in  Philadelphia,  in  1774,  declared,  "I  am  not  a  Vir 
ginian,  but  an  American!"  the  first  utterance  of  National  patriotism 
and  for  a  National  Union. 

I  am  constrained  to  believe  that  Grant,  grasping  the  hand  of 
Lee,  at  Appomattox,  instead  of  taking  his  proffered  sword,  was  a 
prophecy  of  President  McKinley's  Address  at  Atlanta  when  he  said: 
"  That  the  time  has  come  for  the  United  States  Government  to 
care  for  the  graves  of  the  Confederate  soldiers  who  sleep  in  North 
ern  cemeteries."  In  the  furtherance  of  this  thought,  and  to  show  that 
the  animosities  of  the  war  days  are  passing  away,  and  that  the  sol 
diers  of  the  South  with  those  of  the  North  are  National  in  charac 
ter,  I  am  reminded  of  a  modest  little  man  weighing  scarcely  ninety 
pounds— Major  General  Joseph  Wheeler  of  Alabama, — who  served 
valiantly  in  the  Confederate  army,  who  also  fought  just  as  bravely 
under  the  Stars  and  Stripes  at  Santiago. 

My  friends,  in  the  late  Civil  War  there  were  2661  battles  fought 
with  over  500  men  engaged  on  each  side.  After  the  war  got  fairly 
started  the  number  of  battles  averaged  about  two  a  day  for  the 
entire  four  years  of  warfare.  During  these  four  years  there  were 
1404  battles  mentioned  in  the  records  of  the  Confederate  and  Fed 
eral  Armies,  many  more  of  a  minor  character  were  not  so  mentioned. 
On  the  soil  of  Virginia  there  were,  so  to  speak  scarcely  a  hill 
top,  scarcely  a  village,  scarcely  a  city,  upon  or  around  which  some 
heroic  blood  has  not  been  shed  by  brave  men  from  nearly  every 
State  in  the  Union.  There  is  scarcely  a  family  from  Maine  to 
California — of  those  living  in  this  nation  at  that  time — that  has 
not  in  this  State  some  sacred  spot,  made  so  on  account  of  some 
brave  soldier:  husband  or  son;  brother  or  friend,  to  whom  their 
hearts'  fondest  recollections  go  out  with  love  and  esteem.  Virginia 
is  proud  to  have  been  the  stage  for  this  heroic  struggle,  and  upon 
her  soil  in  some  spot  around  Petersburg  nearly  every  state  in  this 
Union  could  place  a  memorial  to  testify  to  the  bravery  and  chivalry 
of  her  soldiers. 

Virginia  loves  valor,  heroism,  and  courage,  and  these  memorials 
of  deeds  of  valor  unveiled  and  dedicated  by  you  to-day  shall  be 
cherished  and  taken  care  of  by  loving  hands  and  with  tender  hearts, 
and  we  will  see  that  they  remain  here  as  monuments  to  give  inspir 
ation  to  our  descendants  and  aspiration  to  the  youth  of  the  land 

25 


386  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

when  deeds  of  valor  are  demanded  of  them  in  the  preservation  of 
our  National  liberties. 

All  people  who  have  ever  achieved  much  for  humanity  have  been 
noted  for  some  peculiar  virtues.  The  peculiar  virtues  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  Race  from  whom  we  Americans  are  descended,  the  race 
which  to-day  holds  in  its  hands  the  destiny  of  the  world  are,  the 
purity  of  its  womanhood  and  the  courage  of  its  manhood;  with 
these  virtues  it  has  nearly  conquered  the  world. 

We  of  Virginia  can  never  forget  that  it  was  in  your  beautiful  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  "Old  Keystone  State,"  that  they  met  who  framed 
and  adopted  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  in  which  was 
written  the  American  Constitution.  Mutual  action  in  the  preparation 
and  adoption  of  these  immortal  papers  by  Pennsylvania  and  Vir 
ginia,  in  which  the  names  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Benjamin  Frank 
lin  appear  as  co-patriots,  has  formed  between  our  States  a  bond 
which  should  never  be  broken. 

Now,  my  friends,  there  was  a  little  incident  in  connection  with 
the  "Crater"  and  in  the  explosion  that  caused  it,  that  strikes  me 
as  much  as  anything  else  in  the  entire  Civil  War,  when  those  gallant 
men,  Lieutenant  Jacob  Douty  and  Sergent  Henry  Reese  of  the 
48th  Regiment,  volunteered  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  delay  in 
the  explosion  of  the  "Mine."  These  two  brave  men  offered  their 
lives  in  going  into  the  mine  for  this  purpose.  I  thank  God  that  here 
was  bravery  and  courage  willing  to  lose  all  for  the  cause  they  were 
serving !  To-day  let  us  salute  these  two  noble  men  who  had  the  courage 
to  offer  their  lives  for  the  sake  of  the  cause  they  loved ! 

Again,  my  friends,  in  conclusion,  Virginia  gives  to  you,  one  and 
all,  a  hearty  welcome  to  feel  the  liberty  of  the  State  extended  to  you 
to-day.  Do  as  you  please,  don't  get  off  the  street  for  anybody,  and, 
if  you  have  any  trouble  come  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  who  will 
exercise  the  pardoning  power  in  your  behalf. 

ORATION 

The  oration  was  delivered  by  Comrade  S.  A.  Thurlow, 
who  spoke  as  follows: 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

It  hardly  seems  necessary  that  anything  further  should  be  said 
to  make  this  day  and  this  occasion  complete.  The  monument  has 
been  erected  on  the  spot  selected  for  it,  and  His  Excellency,  the 
Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  has  placed  it  in 
the  care  and  keeping  of  His  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  the  Common 
wealth  of  Virginia,  and  it  is  safe. 

The  events  leading  up  to  this  day,  and  the  day  itself,  are  unique 
in  the  history  of  this  country,  indeed,  I  believe  I  am  safe  in  saying 


ADDENDA  387 

in  the  history  of  the  world.  Captain  Featherstone,  an  officer  from 
your  own  State,  but  in  command  of  a  force  from  Alabama,  in  the  charge 
at  Petersburg,  upon  invitation  of  the  Monument  Association,  came 
North  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  securing  the  funds  needed 
to  pay  the  purchase  price,  and,  to-day  in  the  presence  of  this  as 
sembly,  a  lady  from  the  South,  daughter  of  one  who  fought  for  the 
South  on  that  terrible  day,  joins  hands  with  a  lady  from  the  North,  a 
daughter  of  one  who  fought  for  the  North,  in  unveiling  this  monument 
to  our  view.  Search  the  history  of  this  country  or  the  history  of 
any  country  for  a  parallel,  and  you  will  search  in  vain. 

Quite  aside  from  the  interest  connected  with  the  occasion  which 
calls  us  here  to-day,  I  find  myself  hardly  able  to  suppress  the  emotions 
which  cry  out  to  be  heard.  As  a  school  boy,  way  up  among  the  moun 
tains  and  pines  of  Maine,  I  was  taught  to  revere  the  name  of  Virginia. 
To  me,  it  meant  the  name  of  princely  men,  the  names  of  statesmen, 
of  warriors  and  presidents,  it  meant  the  name  of  the  immortal  Wash 
ington.  And  in  all  the  years  that  have  passed  since  then,  even  during 
the  dark  days  of  the  war  between  the  States,  although  my  heart  and 
sympathies  were  fully  enlisted  on  the  other  side,  yet  the  name  of 
Virginia  would  bring  a  flush  of  pride  to  my  cheeks.  To-day,  I  am 
trying  to  realize  in  some  degree  that  I  am  standing  in  the  very  pres 
ence  of  the  men  and  the  women  who  trace  their  ancestry  back  to 
those  illustrious  names  which  I  learned  to  love  and  revere  in  the 
far  off  days  of  my  boyhood. 

Ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  bring  you  the  greetings  of  the  North, 
to  you  and  to  all  the  South,  but  particularly  to  old  Virginia. 

We  are  here  to-day,  on  a  peculiar  mission,  one  that  brings  to  us 
pleasure  and  one  that  brings  pain.  It  gives  us  pleasure  to  honor  the 
memory  of  those  who  were  our  comrades  in  the  war.  It  gives  us  pain 
to  know  that  they  are  no  longer  by  our  side.  It  gives  us  pleasure  to 
honor  the  memory  of  brave  men  of  that  war,  whether  they  were  our 
comrades  and  wore  the  blue,  or  your  comrades  and  wore  the  gray. 
The  man  who  is  true  to  his  convictions  of  right,  whether  for  me  or 
against  me,  is  the  man  whose  hand  I  will  grasp  when  the  contest  is 
over  and  call  him  my  friend. 

You  see,  unveiled  before  you,  the  statue  of  Colonel  George  W. 
Gowen,  Commander  of  the  48th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Veteran 
Volunteers  at  Petersburg.  In  that  dreadful  charge,  he  lost  his  life. 
A  young  man  of  twenty-live,  who  left  u  beautiful  home  in  the 
mountains  of  Pennsylvania,  left  his  loved  ones  and  all  that  was  dear 
to  him  in  life  and  joined  the  Federal  service.  No  braver  commander 
ever  drew  a  sword,  no  more  courteous  a  gentleman  ever  welcomed 
a  guest  to  his  home,  no  truer  friend  ever  came  to  the  assistance  of 
another  in  his  time  of  need.  It  is  in  his  honor,  and  in  honor  of  his 
brave  comrades  who  fell  with  him,  that  we  have  erected  this 
monument. 


388  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

These  men  who  have  come  down  from  the  North  to  render  this 
honor  are  the  survivors  of  his  own  regiment.  In  the  war  between 
the  States,  Pennsylvania  had  many  regiments  of  which  she  was  justly 
proud,  but  no  more  valiant  band  of  men  came  out  from  that  State, 
or  from  any  other  State  of  the  North,  than  the  illustrious  48th.  In 
its  number  you  will  find  many  of  the  very  first  to  respond  to  the 
call  of  arms  when  the  war  began,  and  many  who  were  the  last  to 
leave  when  the  war  was  over.  Oftimes  but  few  in  number,  made  so, 
however,  not  by  disease  or  by  the  hospital,  but  by  the  bullet  and  the 
bayonet  of  your  own  equally  valiant  forces  of  the  South. 

One  incident  connected  with  the  history  of  this  regiment  will 
show  you  with  what  esteem  its  men  were  regarded  in  the  cities 
of  the  South  where  they  were  stationed.  It  was  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  while 
on  provost  duty  that  the  citizens  on  several  occasions  petitioned 
General  Burnside  to  allow  this  particular  regiment  to  remain  to 
guard  and  protect  the  interests  of  the  city,  when  it  had  been  ordered 
elsewhere.  One  much-envied  young  officer,  Colonel,  afterwards 
General,  Pleasants  gained  the  good  will,  not  only  of  the  citizens  gen 
erally,  but  the  special  good  will  of  one  of  Lexington's  fair  daughters, 
a  queenly  woman,  and  afterwards  took  her  to  his  home  in  the  North 
as  his  bride. 

Had  I  the  time  and  did  the  occasion  warrant  it,  I  should  take 
great  pride  and  pleasure  in  giving  you  the  history  of  this  regiment, 
and  the  brave  soldiers,  officers  and  men,  who  composed  it.  I  should 
tell  you  of  its  first  commander,  Colonel,  afterwards  General  James 
Nagle,  and  also  of  Colonel  Daniel  Nagle,  who  is  with  us  to-day, 
both  soldiers  in  the  Mexican  War,  who,  with  three  other  brothers, 
served  in  the  war  between  the  States.  I  could  tell  you  of  Reid  and 
Monahan  and  Blackwood  who  wear  special  badges  of  honor,  given 
them  by  the  government  for  special  acts  of  bravery.  I  would  tell 
you  of  Douty  and  Reese,  who,  at  the  risk  of  almost  certain  death, 
re-entered  the  mine,  and  relighted  the  fuse.  I  would  take  you  to  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  where  the  division  of  which  this  regiment 
formed  a  part,  was  the  last  to  leave  the  field  in  that  dreadful  struggle. 

You  will  find  a  monument  erected  in  honor  of  this  regiment,  at 
Antietam,  where  their  brave  commander,  General  Mansfield,  fell.  They 
did  noble  service  under  General  Williams,  who  was  afterwards  killed 
at  Baton  Rouge,  and  also  under  the  valiant  General  Reno  who  lost 
his  life  at  South  Mountain.  They  were  with  Grant  in  theWilderness. 
They  marched  from  the  Rapidan  to  Petersburg  and  took  their  position 
on  the  inner  lines  nearest  to  the  limits  of  the  city  and  opened  their 
dreadful  mine.  Yes,  these  men  are  the  men  that  did  it,  the  men  of  the 
48th  regiment,  of  PennsyVania  Veteran  Volunteers,  made  famous 
the  world  over  by  that  achievement.  It  was  aimed  at  the  downfall 
of  Petersburg.  It  was  a  terrible  deed  made  necessary  by  a  terrible 
war.  But  to-day,  let  me  tell  you,  and  tell  you  truly,  that  should  a  like 


ADDENDA  389 

danger  ever  again  threaten  your  fair  city,  these  very  men,  and  every 
other  man  who  ever  wore  the  blue,  in  all  the  North,  if  needed,  would 
come  to  your  rescue  and  shed  his  last  drop  of  blood  in  your  defence. 
The  war  is  over.  It  was  carried  on  at  a  tremendous  cost  of  treasure 
and  blood.  It  was  brought  about  in  an  apparently  vain  endeavor 
to  settle  disagreements  and  disputes  of  many  years  standing.  It 
became  necessary  because  in  that  day  no  better  way  was  known. 
God  grant  that  now  and  in  all  coming  time,  the  sons  of  those  who 
fought  in  that  war,  their  sons,  and  their  sons'  sons,  in  the  better  and 
grander  life  of  the  oncoming  centuries,  may  be  so  fair-minded,  so 
keen  in  their  discernment  of  what  is  just  and  right,  so  great-hearted 
and  broad-rninded,  that  they  may  settle  all  differances  without  bring 
ing  harm  to  their  homes  and  to  those  whom  they  love. 

Gentlemen  of  the  48th,  do  you  realize  with  me  that  we  are  on 
historic  ground  to-day?  Whichever  way  we  may  turn,  we  can  almost 
see  the  faces  and  here  the  voices  of  the  historic  dead.  I  can  see  in 
review,  passing  before  me  the  form  of  Captain  Smith  and  the  beauti 
ful  Indian  maiden,  Pocahontas ;  the  immortal  Washington  and  the 
lady  fitted  to  be  his  bride,  Martha  Custis;  Randolph  and  Clay,  Jeffer 
son  and  Madison,  Lee  and  Grant,  Hampton  and  Sheridan,  Mahone 
and  Hancock,  and  scores  of  others  whose  names  will  live  in  history. 

"Give  me  the  land  that  hath  legends  and  lays, 
That  tell  of  the  conflict  of  long  vanished  days. 
Yes,  give  me  the  land  with  a  grave  in  each  spot, 
And  names  on  the  graves  that  will  not  be  forgot. 
Yes,  give  me  the  land  of  the  wreck  and  the  tomb, 
There's  glory  in  graves,  there's  grandeur  in  gloom, 
For  out  of  the  gloom,  future  brightness  is  born, 
As  after  the  night,  looms  the  sunrise  of  morn." 

In  the  defence  of  this  goodly  city,  which  suffered  a  longer  and 
a  tighter  siege  than  any  other  during  the  war,  old  men  and  school 
boys  vied  with  each  other  and  gave  their  lives  a  willing  sacrifice. 
Here  it  was,  after  the  explosion  of  that  mine,  unequaled  in  the  history 
of  warfare,  that  both  armies  fought  with  such  terrific  force  that  it 
has  been  called  the  bloodiest  battle  of  the  world.  Here  it  was  that 
commander  and  soldier  did  such  deeds  of  valor  that  their  names 
should  go  into  history  with  the  brave  600  when  "cannon  at  the  right 
of  them,  cannon  at  the  left  of  them,  cannon  in  front  of  them  vollied 
and  thundered." 

The  old  Swiss  Guard  of  France,  or  Leonidas,  with  his  three  hun 
dred  at  Thermopylea,  holding  in  check  the  hordes  of  Persia,  did  no 
more  valiant  deeds  than  were  done  here  by  the  soldiers  of  both 
armies. 

But  to-day,  gentlemen,   the   smoke  of  battle  has  cleared   away. 


390  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

The  roar  of  the  cannon  is  nc  longer  heard.  Fort  Sedgwick,  and  Fort 
M'ahone,  known  no  longer,  I  trust,  by  their  fierce  and  fiery  war  time 
names,  may  still  exist,  but  no  harm  from  them  can  come  to  us.  The 
arts  of  war  long  since  gave  way  to  the  arts  of  peace,  and  in  peace 
may  they  always  remain. 

Grave  problems  in  sociology  are  yet  to  be  solved,  both  in  the 
North  and  in  the  South.  But  we  can  safely  leave  those  problems  for 
solution  to  the  States  in  which  they  arise,  with  the  fullest  assurance 
that  each  State  will  best  understand  its  own  problems  and  best  know 
how  to  solve  them. 

I  rejoice  with  you,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  in  the  marvelous  pros 
perity  of  our  country  of  which  you  in  the  south  have  a  large  share. 
The  balance  of  trade  in  favor  of  our  country  this  year,  when  counted 
in  dollars  and  cents,  will  run  up  into  two  hundreds  of  millions. 
Owing  to  your  mines  and  your  mills,  hamlets  are  giving  way  to 
prosperous  cities  and  great  business  centres  all  over  the  South. 
Beautiful  buildings,  are  lifting  up  their  magnificent  proportions 
everywhere.  With  the  exception  of  New  York,  nearly  all  the  great 
centres  of  export  trade  are  in  the  South.  Your  products  of  agricul 
ture  last  year  passed  the  limit  of  a  thousand  millions,  more  than 
three  times  as  great  as  was  the  value  of  the  same  fifteen  years  ago. 
We  of  the  North  rejoice  with  you  in  all  this  wonderful  prosperity, 
but  we  rejoice  far  more  in  the  better  feeling  that  is  coming  to  the 
front  between  the  North  and  the  South.  Old  lines  of  demarkation 
are  being  rapidly  obliterated  and  new  lines  of  good  fellowship  and 
common  interests  are  taking  place.  Particularly,  do  I  rejoice  to-day 
in  the  fact  that  without  engendering  any  feeling  of  bitterness,  or, 
without  arousing  in  the  least  degree,  any  suspicion  of  political  plot 
ting,  we  may  erect  a  monument  in  Petersburg,  and  you  another  in 
Richmond,  to  honor  the  memory  of  those  who  became  dear  to  us 
in  the  war. 

I  rejoice  with  you  in  the  fact  that  the  rush  and  worry,  so 
characteristic  of  the  age,  has  not  been  able  to  crush  out  all  sentiment 
from  our  lives,  that  there  is  still  a  place  in  our  hearts  where  we 
cherish  the  names  and  deeds  of  those  who  stood  with  us  in  that 
dreadful  contest. 

We  thank  you,  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Virginia,  for  the  courtesies 
which  you  have  this  day  extended  to  us.  We  have  fulfilled  our  mission. 
We  have  erected  a  monument  to  be  a  lasting  testimony  of  the  bravery 
of  Colonel  Gowen  and  his  equally  brave  followers  who -fell  at  his 
side.  Yes,  we  have  done  that  and  more,  as  you  will  see  when  you 
read  the  inscription  at  its  base.  We  have  erected  a  monument  in 
honor  of  every  soldier  who  fell  here  fighting  in  defence  of  the 
principles  which  he  believed  to  be  right,  whether  he  wore  the  blue 
or  the  gray. 


ADDENDA  391 

"Oh,  the  roses  we  plucked  for  the  blue 

And  the  lilies  we  twined  for  the  gray, 

We  have  bound  in  a  wreath 

And  in  silence  beneath 

Are  sleeping  our  heroes  to-day. 

Over  the  new  turned  sod, 

The  sons  of  our  fathers  stand, 

And  the  fierce  old  fight 

Slips  out  of  sight 

In  the  clasp  of  a  brother's  hand. 

For  the  old  blood  left  a  stain 

That  the  new  has  washed  away, 

And  the  sons  of  those" 

That  have  faced  as  foes 

Are  marching  together  to-day. 

Marching  in  line  with  an  even  step, 

And  a  heart-beat  warm  and  true, 

Forgetting  the  frays 

Of  the  by-gone  days 

In  the  better  life  of  the  new. 

Oh,  the  roses  we  plucked  for  the  blue, 
And  the  lilies  we  twined  for  the  gray, 
We  have  bound  in  a  wreath 
And  in  glory  beneath 
Slumber"  our  heroes  to-day. 

Yes,  on  the  hillside  and  in  the  valley, 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 
Waiting  the  Judgment  Day, 
Under  the  roses  the  blue, 
Under  the  lilies  the  gray. 

Yes,  under  the  sod  and  the  dew 
Waiting  the  Judgment  Day, 
Tears  and  love  for  the  blue, 
Love  and  tears  for  the  gray." 

INTERESTING   ADDRESS  AT  THE   CRATER 

After  the  unveiling  ceremonies  the  Pennsylvania  Vet 
erans  and  others  visited  the  Crater  where  a  most  interesting 
address  on  the  blowing  up  of  the  mine  was  made  by  Mr. 
William  J.  Wells,  of  Norristown,  Pa.  Mr.  Wells  is  Recorder 


ADDENDA  393 

of  Deeds,  for  Montgomery  County,  Pa.,  and  was  a  sergeant 
of  Company  F,  48th  Pennsylvania  Regiment.  In  his  address 
at  the  Crater,  Sergeant  Wells  spoke  as  follows: 

Nearly  a  half  century  ago,  we  men  of  the  Northland  struggled 
here  against  the  brave  men  of  the  Southland  in  trying  to  gain  pos 
session  of  this  hill  crest ;  but  we  struggled  in  vain.  Had  our  opponents 
been  men  of  inferior  civilization  or  race,  our  task  might  have  been 
accomplished;  but  we  contended  with  men  who  were  nurtured  as  we 
were  nurtured,  imbued  with  like  impulses,  possessed  of  similar  aspir 
ations,  descendants  of  the  same  original  ancestry,  each  contending 
for  that,  which  with  different  surroundings,  he  believed  to  be  right. 
Time,  that  healer  of  all  dissensions  among  men  has,  during  the  forty- 
three  years  which  have  intervened  since  we  last  stood  here,  face  to  face, 
thrown  the  mantle  of  charity  and  partial  forgetfulness  over  these 
stirring  events;  and  the  bitterness  of  those  days  in  which  brother 
fought  against  brother,  and  father  against  son,  has  happily  passed 
away,  we  hope  and  believe,  never  to  return,  while  a  new  generation, 
with  new  ideas,  new  aspirations,  new  ideals,  has  come  upon  the  scene 
of  our  activity,  £nd  we  'who  fought  here  are  enabled  without  the 
loss  of  manly  dignity,  to  grasp  each  other's  hand  in  national  pride, 
and  to  recall  the  events  of  1861-1865,  in  which  we  took  so  conspicuous 
a  part,  only  to  laud  each  the  deeds  of  the  other. 

Thus  we  assemble  upon  this  historic  spot  to  unveil  to  the  gaze 
of  generations  as  yet  unborn,  a  monolith  to  mark  the  spot  which 
might,  and  perhaps  should,  have  been  the  crucial  event  in  the 
campaign  before  Petersburg,  and  which,  peradventure,  might  have 
been  the  initial  movement  looking  to  the  rapid  close  of  that  terrible 
strife  for  which  we  all  longed;  but  fate,  however,  decided  otherwise; 
and  the  contest  was  continued.  This,  I  believe  is  now  the  generally 
accepted  opinion  of  the  leaders  on  both  sides. 

It  is  not  my  province  here  to-day,  to  enter  into  a  discussion  of 
the  causes  which  led  to  the  failure  to  take  advantage  of  the  opening 
made  in  the  Confederate  lines  by  the  explosion  of  the  "mine,"  for 
history  has  recorded  them;  nevertheless,  a  brief  reference  pertaining 
to  them  may  not  be  inappropriate. 

It  may  be  well  at  this  time  to  give  a  brief  review  of  the  operations 
of  the  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry, 
from  its  arrival  in  front  of  Petersburg  on  the  evening  of  June  i6th, 
1864,  to  the  explosion  of  the  mine  on  July  3Oth. 

On  that  evening,  June  i6th,  we  arrived  from  City  Point  and  took 
position  near  the  Shand  house,  about  nine  o'clock,  being  in  close 
proximity  to  the  Confederate  line.  At  3  a.  m.,  of  the  I7th,  we  sprang 
forward,  at  first  stealthily,  then  as  our  approach  became  known, 
with  great  impetuosity,  quickly  enveloping  the  force  in  our  front, 


394  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

capturing  two  guns;  the  flag  of  the  44th  Tennessee;  recapturing  the 
flag  of  the  7th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery — (captured  the  night 
before) — and  more  men  than  we  had  on  the  firing  line,  giving  to 
us  a  glorious  victory,  and  inflicting  upon  our  foes  a  serious  loss,  as 
their  line  was  forced  back  beyond  their  outer  line  of  fortifications, 
which,  thereafter,  became  our  permanent  line. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  the  48th  was  again  engaged,  this 
time  in  front  of  Elliott's  Salient,  the  position  where  we  now  stand. 
The  engagement  was  sharp  and  short,  resulting  in  our  driving  those 
in  our  front  across  the  Norfolk  and  Petersburg  Railroad,  out  of  the 
ravine  beyond,  up  almost  to  their  intrenchments,  when  they  made 
a  determined  stand  and  held  their  ground  bravely.  This  perhaps, 
the  most  advanced  position  along  the  entire  line,  was  immediately 
fortified,  and  became  our  main  line,  won  by  hard  fighting  and  serious 
loss,  for  in  the  ranks  of  our  foes,  we  found  men  "worthy  of  our  steel." 

Prior  to,  and  throughout  the  operations  thus  briefly  described, 
the  command  of  the  48th  devolved  upon  Lieutenant  Colonel  Henry 
Pleasants,  a  soldier  of  great  merit,  and  possessed  of  more  than 
ordinary  skill  and  ability  as  a  civil  mining  engineer,  who,  though 
but  thirty-one  years  of  age  at  that  time,  had,  since  his  eighteenth 
year,  been  actively  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  his  profession, 
gaining  much  and  valuable  information  in  mining  operations,  up  to 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  From  the  Rapidan  to  the  close  of  his 
military  career,  his  watchful  care  in  seeing  that  suitable  fortifications 
were  promptly  constructed  for  the  protection  of  his  men  at  every 
opportunity,  resulted  in  saving  many  lives  and  endearing  him  to  his 
comrades. 

With  this  knowledge  and  experience,  it  is  little  wonder  that  he 
should  have  noted  the  topography  of  the  land  in  his  immediate  front 
and  conceived  the  probability  of  successfully  placing  a  mine  under 
the  fort,  which,  exploded,  must  open  a  way  to  successful  assault, 
and,  through  its  success,  to  a  final  close  of  the  war. 

That  Colonel  Pleasants  originated  the  idea  of  mining,  no  one 
can  for  a  moment  doubt,  notwithstanding  suggestions  or  claims  to  the 
contrary.  I  had  been,  throughout  the  campaign,  detailed  as  one  of 
the  color  guard  of  the  regiment;  and,  a  few  days  after  gaining  our 
position  of  the  i8th,  the  Colonel,  in  his  impetuous  way,  seeing  me 
near  him,  said:  "I  can  blow  up  that  fort,"  pointing  towards  the  front, 
and  asked  me  for  my  bayonet  and  cartridge  box.  He  then  selected 
a  spot  behind  the  ridge  where  we  lay,  excavated  a  small  space, 
charged  the  hole  with  the  powder  taken  from  the  cartridges, — 
(extracting  the  balls) — laid  a  train  thereto,  and  exploded  it,  but  not 
to  his  satisfaction,  for,  excavating  another  similar  space  and  making 
two  chambers  instead  of  one,  he  repeated  the  operations  with  better 
results,  remarking,  "Two  is  better  than  one." 


ADDENDA  395 

From  this  time,  about  the  2oth  or  2ist  of  June,  the  pages  of 
history  record  the  operations,  which  are  doubtless  familiar  to  all 
present. 

West  Point  pride,  however,  was  slow  to  admit  that  volunteer 
skill  could  succeed  in  such  a  gigantic  operation  and  denounced  the 
project  as  "impracticable."  Nevertheless,  relying  upon  his  own 
opinions,  and  the  practical  knowledge  of  his  men,  and,  having  gained 
the  consent  of  Generals  Burnside  and  Potter,  he,  with  inferior  tools, 
or  practically  no  tools  at  all,  compared  with  those  used  for  that 
purpose,  commenced  operations  on  the  25th  of  June,  selecting  as  his 
immediate  and  responsible  leaders,  Lieutenant  Jacob  Douty,  of  Com 
pany  K,  and  Sergeant  Henry  Reese,  of  Company  F,  men  skilled  in 
mining  operations  From  that  time  forward  these  two  brave  men 
rarely  left  the  mine,  day  nor  night,  eating  and  sleeping  therein  or  near 
by  until  the  excavations  were  complete,  the  mine  charged,  and 
exploded.  What  shall  I  say  of  the  marvelous  courage  of  those 
heroes?  What  tongue  or  pen  can  do  them  justice?  Their  heroic 
deed  in  re-entering  the  mine  to  investigate  the  cause  of  the  delay 
in  exploding  the  powder  is  beyond  all  praise.  They  knew  not  the 
moment  they  might  be  blown  to  atoms;  yet,  we  who  knew  them, 
know  that  they  thought  only  of  duty.  They  were  men  not  capable 
of  seeking  self-glory,  nor  of  posing  as  heroes;  yet  their  modest  sim 
plicity  does  not  for  a  moment  detract  from  their  unselfish  bravery. 
They  even  ran  a  double  risk;  for,  after  relighting  the  burned-out  fuse, 
they  had  no  assurance  that  they  would  not  be  caught  in  the  explosion. 
Brave  men!  You  are  not  here  to-day  to  receive  the  plaudits  of  your 
comrades  for  your  brave  act,  nor  those  of  your  former  foes,  for  all 
must  concede,  friend  and  foe  alike,  that  the  whole  range  of  history, 
ancient  or  modern,  does  not  contain  an  account  of  more  heroic 
proportions  than  yours!  You  have  gone  to  the  great  encampment 
beyond ;  but  your  names  and  your  act  will  live  so  long  as  heroism  is 
cherished  by  heroic  men! 

A  few  words  as  to  the  mine  itself.  I  have  not  time,  nor  you 
patience,  to  go  into  the  construction  of  it,  nor  is  it  necessary  for 
our  purpose  here  to-day.  The  length  of  the  excavation,  including 
the  lateral  galleries,  was  586  feet,  or  195  yards,  and  the  material 
excavated  amounted  to  some  18,000  cubic  feet,  or  667  cubic  yards. 
The  labor  required  to  mine  and  remove  this  mass  of  earth,  to  provide 
against  caving  in,  and  to  preserve  proper  ventilation,  was  enormous  and 
required  the  services  of  almost  every  man  in  the  regiment.  Begun  on 
June  25th,  the  mine  was  ready  for  charging  on  July  23rd,  less  than  one 
month ;  thus  demonstrating  the  ability  and  skill  of  its  originator,  and  the 
devotion  and  energy  of  the  men  who  performed  the  labor. 

Commencing  at  3.00  p.  m.,  July  27th,  during  the  night  8,000  pounds, 
or  four  tons,  of  powder  were  carried  in,  in  bags,  deposited  in  the 
laterals,  and  by  6.00  p.  m.  of  the  28th,  forty  feet  of  sand  tamping 


396  STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 

cxmveyed  in  bags,  had  been  placed  in  the  inner  part  of  the  gallery, 
the  fuse  laid  in  the  ventilating  tube,  and  all  was  ready  for  firing. 

At  3.30  a.  m.,  July  3oth,  Colonel  Pleasants  entered  the  mine  and 
lit  the  fuse,  then  waited,  how  anxiously,  for  the  expected  explosion, 
but  in  vain;  minute  followed  minute,  until  nearly  an  hour  had  passed; 
then,  almost  maddened  by  the  delay,  he  called  for  volunteers,  and  the 
gallant  Douty  and  Reese  sprang  forward,  entered  the  gallery,  speedily 
found  the  defective  fuse,  relit  it,  ran  for  the  entrance  at  the  risk  of 
being  caught,  and  had  just  emerged  when  the  earth  shook,  the  air 
was  filled  with  men,  guns  and  masses  of  earth,  and  all  was  over. 

The  enterprise  pronounced  by  eminent  engineers  to  be  "imprac 
ticable"  had  been  accomplished,  the  judgment  of  Colonel  Pleasants 
had  been  verified,  and  the  arduous,  skillful  work  of  the  men  of  the 
48th  was  over. 

Then  commenced  the  blunders  of  some  general  officers  in  not 
acting  promptly  and  intelligently,  and  the  incompetency  of  another 
in  not  leading  his  assaulting  division  into  the  abandoned  works.  Valuable 
time  was  lost,  and  when  at  last  the  Union  troops  were  where  they 
should  have  been  almost  an  hour  before,  their  efforts  were  ineffective 
because  of  their  massed  condition  and  the  return  of  the  Confederates 
to  their  abandoned  line.  Men  never  fought  braver  than  did  they, 
but  without  avail,  for  the  day  was  lost,  and  retreat,  almost  ignominious 
retreat,  alone  was  left  to  them. 

It  is  but  fair  to  the  men  of  this  regiment  and  to  the  memory  of 
its  gallant  Colonel  who  conceived,  engineered,  and  exploded  this  mine, 
to  say  that  had  the  harmony  which  was  exhibited  by  the  general 
officers  of  the  Confederate  army  at  Gettysburg  prior  to  and  during 
the  celebrated  charge  of  Pickett's  division,  prevailed  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  from  the  inception  to,  and  after  the  explosion  of  this 
mine,  the  result  would  have  been  far  different  to  what  it  was. 

First,  unbelief  in  its  successful  accomplishment  by  the  commander 
and  engineers  upon  his  staff,  then  unwilling  support  during  its  con 
struction  in  not  furnishing  proper  facilities  for  the  work;  and,  lastly, 
in  the  arbitrary  decision,  when  success  seemed  assured,  to  substitute 
a  division  of  white  troops  for  the  division  of  colored  troops  selected 
by  General  Burnside  to  lead  the  assault. 

In  the  pth  Army  Corps  were  four  divisions,  the  1st,  2nd  and  3rd 
of  white  troops,  commanded  respectively  by  Generals  Ledlie,  Potter 
and  Wilcox,  and  the  4th.  or  colored  division,  commanded  by  General 
Ferrero,  to  which  division,  according  to  the  plan  of  General  Burn- 
side,  was  assigned  the  task  of  assaulting  the  works  immediately  after 
the  explosion.  The  reason  given  for  this  assignment  by  General 
Burnside  was  that  the  white  troops  had  for  six  weeks  been  constantly 
accustomed  to  seek  shelter  behind  their  defences;  that  this  may,  in 
case  of  serious  opposition,  cause  them  to  halt  when  the  works  had 
been  reached,  instead  of  advancing  beyond  them ;  that  the  colored 


ADDENDA  397 

troops  who  had  not  as  yet  been  on  the  firing  line,  and  who  had 
since  the  commencement  of  mining,  been  specially  trained  with  a 
view  towards  making  the  assault,  in  the  belief  that  they  would  not 
be  subject  to  seeking  protection  behind  the  works  when  reached, 
but  would,  by  the  force  of  the  charge,  advance  beyond  the  crater 
to  the  crest  of  the  hill,  to  be  immediately  sustained  by  other  charging 
lines  of  the  white  troops,  who  were  intended  to  follow  up  the 
advantage  thus  gained,  and  press  on  to  victory.  General  Mleade, 
however,  differed  with  him  and  insisted  that  the  assault  should  be 
made  by  white  troops.  This  decision  having  been  sustained  by 
General  Grant,  to  whom  the  dispute  had  been  referred,  the  question 
arose  as  to  which  division  should  be  selected.  Lots  were  drawn  and 
the  choice  fell  to  the  ist,  or  Ledlie's  division.  Valuable  time  had  been 
lost  by  this  change  of  plans,  the  impact  of  the  advance  was  feeble, 
the  broken  lines  of  the  Confederates,  who  had  temporarily  abandoned 
their  works  under  the  possible  belief  that  other  mines  might  be 
sprung,  were  being  reformed  and  advanced  to  their  old  position; 
their  artillery,  on  the  flanks  of  the  crater,  were  concentrating  an 
enfilading  fire  upon  the  advancing  column,  and,  what  Burnside  feared, 
actually  occurred,  for  when  the  old  works  were  reached,  the  line 
sought  shelter,  and  the  beginning  of  the  end  had  come.  Prompt, 
energetic  action  on  the  part  of  the  division  commander  might  have 
had  a  different  result,  but  it  was  not  given.  The  men  were  brave, 
but  were  poorly  led.  Oh,  for  some  "Sherman,"  "Stonewall  Jackson," 
"Stuart"  or  "Custer"  at  this  moment!  But  the  die  was  cast;  the 
opportunity  lost,  and  the  rest  was  simple  sacrifice  of  human  life  with 
but  one  result — failure. 

Huddled  together  in  masses,  10,000  men,  unable  to  advance  or 
form  continuous  line,  were  compelled  to  remain  on  the  defensive, 
while  the  returning  Confederates  were  pouring  volleys  into  the 
disorganized  mass  of  humanity,  who  were  unable  to  give  effective 
resistance,  and,  when  recalled  from  what,  under  proper  management, 
should  have  been  a  glorious  victory,  they  sullenly,  stubbornly,  gave 
up  the  field,  and  resumed  their  old  lines,  leaving  thousands  of  their 
gallant  comrades  dead,  dying,  wounded,  or  prisoners,  in  the  hands 
of  the  victors.  "Theirs  not  to  reason  why;  theirs  but  to  do  or  die, 
though  some  one  blundered." 

Comrades,  friends  and  former  opponents,  why  should  I  linger 
longer  upon  this  episode  in  our  and  our  nation's  history?  The 
explosion,  the  consternation  resulting  therefrom,  the  failure  of  our 
generals  to  profit  thereby,  the  useless  charges  that  followed  when 
too  late,  the  bravery  of  men  caught  in  a  trap  of  their  own  setting, 
the  rally  of  the  panic-stricken  Confederates,  the  wild  charges  to  regain 
their  lost  works,  the  cruel  enfilading  fire  of  the  Confederate  batteries, 
the  maddened  hand  to  hand  conflict,  the  capture  of  prisoners,  the  cries 
and  moans  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  the  stubborn,  yet  chaotic 


398 


STORY  OF  THE  FORTY-EIGHTH 


retreat,  the  shouts  of  Confederate  victory;  these,  all  these,  have  been 
told  and  re-told,  over  and  over  again,  and  will  be  told  till  time  is  no 
more;  but,  in  connection  therewith,  will  also  be  told  the  whole  story 
of  the  "mine,"  and  in  the  telling,  will  shine  out  the  record  of  the  48th 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,  whose  history  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  is  unique,  in  this,  that  from  the  Peninsula  to  the 
Appomattox  no  other  regiment  performed  any  similar  act.  We  did 
our  part,  and  the  failure  to  profit  by  it  was  no  fault  of  ours. 

In  the  unveiling  of  this  marker  and  that  at  the  entrance  to  the 
mine,  we  do  it  not  as  an  act  of  glorification,  nor  as  a  reminder  to 
the  good  people  of  Petersburg,  or  of  Virginia,  or  of  the  sunny 
Southland,  that  we  once  sought  to  subdue  them;-  but  that  the 
descendants  of  the  brave  men  of  the  South  and  of  the  North  may 
ever  remember  the  struggle  which  took  place  here  on  the  thirtieth 
day  of  July,  1864,  in  which  those  who  fought  for  the  possession  of  this 
hill-crest,  and  those  who  successfully  held  it,  were  men  of  the  same 
blood,  of  the  same  nation,  and  equally  brave.  May  these  markers 
and  that  monument  to-day  unveiled  on  the  Jersusalem  plank  road, 
near  Fort  Mahone,  by  the  survivors  of  the  48th  Pennsylvania  Regi 
ment,  ever  remind  our  people  that,  forgetting  the  past,  we  are  to-day 
one  people,  with  one  flag,  and  having  a  common  destiny. 

The  author  is  under  obligations  to  the  Misses  M.  L. 
Branch  and  sister,  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  for  their  kindness  in 
stenographing  the  addresses  of  Governor  Stuart,  Governor 
Swanson  and  Adjutant-General  Stewart,  on  the  day  they  were 
delivered  at  the  unveiling  of  the  monument  there. 


From  the  formation 
of  the  Regiment  to 
the  date  of  its  final 
discharge  at  the  close 
of  the  Civil  War 


Company 

A 


o 
u 


E    £> 

?  ss 


f* 

Tl.c 


c     _- 
2    ~ 


8        37,      ". 


•g 


I 


.—  ^ 

3t 

CCO 
M  <_, 
o  «« 

~T3 

r  o» 


4  is 


I 

•*?j"ll8*|afiS.j-i« 


H 


ZJgi 

^•o^ 

_O(N  J5 
.  or^ 


<§£  I 

5g  - 

££       -H 
>c* 

•3   3 


1 

•3 


H!-  a 

"O-O~  ' 

V  «,£;  j- 

«St  S3 

ge-  n^t 

-----  ^.a 


^c! 


£f>^'^p£f  r 

"  "JE!JB 

wg.TE^^SrS 
^  o  o  p  „-  o.  o  o 


i'c.S'<?o"oogJB6osisrlspy 

«  P  j*  c  r  ^  ~  "  ?  §  •« « j=V5  *  5 

-  «  2"^  2-c'w)i3  i^g^;^^ 

oooowhr?-w^  ^.^^ 


,2  3 

:05 


.".g     ?'S         c 

111  3     -S 

o 

ilggll^iSSlI  5 

?S&a&S^«^^an 

:  o  C&C  o  w"9^-=:  > 
» i_  o  o  °  u  k"  •w  i— »>— ^ i  *-  o 


c.o.     o,     aa,     a  a     aa 
cflcfi     t/3    tr.cn    c/)c/) 


a  a 


1  B  I 

"^         1)  ,      V 
J       yj-     M: 


1  i^ 
S 

X    Aii] 


iJ  I  slJlllr.il  flM  p  riJj  spl||: 

£  ^*^!!«s]!l!!«%i5?.!^r'ai 


1          I 

!  I 


.fifiS^ 
°    •    •  *J 

b.o.o  o< 

JS  «>  <U  U 

Shh.« 


26 


o 
U 


ss 

a 
o 
u 


p 


"5iK ' 


--  Eg 
S ,«»  " 

£-£.£. 
<u  o  o 

5-T3T! 


"gllll  ^llrg-g  »g  g 

DdiniiLiii^ajaJ^Daj^'^tn 


^rtC-05 


?§B11111'8|I-|r?11a1ll1 


W5l)a;a;il)iU'n<UGj(U4><UQiUCIU4> 

<n  «  «  «  w  S  M  S  ^  S  !9  2  *•  «  "' 


ffft 
rH  r-l  t-l  —I  i-l  rH  r-l  i-l  i-l  i-l         ,-lrlr-l  gjCOrH 


a-g^^^^  j  aj      -g     aaaaaaaaaas  a  c'-g 


o 

U 


j!  ! 

•:!       ! 


.2.C 

S3 

B  rt 


•o 
s.cJ 


•o    .     «    -     N  2 

U  4>       •— iJ3     .  ID  75 

I§^^I| 

f.K  .^  M^.t^ 


•§  M 


SpSSpp 


_:5  rt  2,2  .,2  E*-3S*.SJa5?s  »8"-*; 

-^S<C^5C^D    ,-r  -r  *->  —  *-CT>    .CJ^j-    rt're 


Company 
B 


ffi 


ss 

^ 

O 
u 


2    > 


8    S 


e 

V 

"3 
> 


J3 

s-  I 


^ 


cd 
K 

•Sss 


o 

3 

y 
| 

£ 

"9 
& 


3s    w 


^    £ 


Us  IglgS 

>S-alll-i 

.»"  o.P«  «5  «J  «w5 

5p^5«>»o 

BjsfS'SlssS'S 


ot 
aaa'S.D.    "G. 


.2     S 

u       rt 


.    .  en 

-Ifs 

.2=  o  S 


a*J8  -: 


I 


~£ 


-       v 

S    ~i 


,_  r^  .C  r--  g       S  e  i>    •  ^ 

SS5S     S  UlSlL 


M  -   (LI 

^s-Es'SSjlQ 
tttfP^'v'g^Sj 

^,  O  f-T  r-T*^  -T*^.     .  d»      TI  "* 


•gS|8S*8Jsl3 

(U^^^O-'S.rt-^S 

ll??l!!!liL 

3£3Df  333^--^0 


•gl'g 

-a-rn      g^5 

t»S>>    .,ti'>, 

SsSsgifas 

dUi^-s* 

"nn-l       TI—j 


a  «  3  a 


;?-5rjaSSK 

>  w  C^gS   .  Sc,2 
J  -g  £  c  «  >.  a  a  « 

rSSnal*:- 

^s<s-^§, 

I  <n  .. §  °T3 

>gjrsjT-0<o& 

5C  3  3  3  0)  t>  J-Ti 
,§111^5^ 
•"ij^!^ 
i^ssoa 


O 

U 


PQ 


PH 
§ 
O 


illlliliiililllillllililli|g|iililillillli 


g 

H 
Z 

0 

U 


S 

o 

U 


£111 

I*?J 

"Sfcfgg 

til  Si 


V.  -SA5B 

_;  J3  J3  J3  S  •«  O  ° 

o^^^'Si'S'g 
«.>.>'>H2'8«« 

"JOOOrtg--" 

l-O'O'dar.Si! 
SSc'^<982 

C   1»   0)   4>  'c   <U  '2  "S 

slllllll 


S|S§1=J|^U1=P.«54 


THE 

UNIVERSITY 


Company 
C 


r-1  Ctf 


u 


ss 

s 
o 
u 


Q  s 


•  o 

5^; 


1  p 

•J  1* 

PS  a 

i-i  lO  <_, 

is  ^g 

?! 


« 


S2       55  J3  I  i> 

J..    -oS  *e 

O   /-a  t>   M  <J      •- 

•"-•S      c  s»<5 

.-        («*J  <uS 

:J  M  *|" 

P|  2^ 

.rJ  --S 


'.-^  "i  c/:  ^  ^  O 

^o-  S^2i^ 

-•-  c^vv 

->  ISls 

^1  -iEs!- 

.  ^  Frt   7«  rH  *i 


>   s, 


o 

"ss. 


.  -221 

,  C/3    Q    3 


5  SI       S-S'S'S       E^lj-f.83^ 

^  ^111 

J-  ••".MS  ElMffl. 


gs| 


i?S5    PS  ^5    ^°iT=^    u-ug    «.2,i'SS    esSsS.-Ssrig 

ig|S  **  i=  |l!-Pj-  ^|  11!-^- 

s^o  ^*  :6«  li^tf*  ^|1  to|^s53  • -=  s^i^ir  •• 


1 1 1'^  1 1^1  i  «  i 
222    22 


IT)T—  I  T 


o.o.'o,  o.*^  aaaaa  a  "a  a  a  a  "a  a  c.  a, 
a;  .^  tia»<u4JO>  a><uiiaj4»<uiiaja; 
c/2O  c/5  c/}  en  c/)  c/)  in  crc  c/)  a)  tn  t/)  c/)  en  c/) 


j{« 

rt  oJ2 
^OU 

OH 


-fe'Ha 


S,Si^   ,-5^!I?J    .'rjISll^lllliif 


^o£S  3  |=SS=  U=l5?l|S  HlaiSSlal^S^a 


CJ 


6 
^ 


fjj-  lf£bkh'*.*3 
*sjg  fsil^l^ll 

?o  *  *rfs'-»S,S.«*ot5a^e!*i 


s|l^f||<S||6SJ, 
$&&&&*£& 

£««&'$#<•*%'!}* '"        W-Ojg 

s,?^jfroj{a:.»?Sfl?Sa 
«iol|l|ff<||^l| 


s  g  £ 

£  S  si 

5  1 1  i 

3  "  §  I 

1=  ^  U  Is- 

SS  c'o 

1  I  1    I       I 

S  g.  5  o                            8 

d  w  a  £          - 

X         .  =  2  s        «        >  •              S 

tj  «  e*  2             a'S                   "^ 

|      i  1  s  |      5     siJ         I 

2           o  1  ~-  *          !       S-S§                I 

a    .«!  p  §  e        §     ><-•           1 

•-lC?r-  .  l—(6/3                           •»  **  ^                                            C 

S      ^.StJ  -S       3           rt  %  "               rt'          iaj>, 

§     «*S  I     o        ^  I  s           >        ||  g-                  ^ 


s    -3 


0.2"°  2     «       .|*       53 "g        5   . 

TJ^       SSS     EtS>n «  .     ='T,  n?    ^1  fe 

S    |«s 


Z~ -       .J3'j=  '-     "^^-C^^0^^    -U.^fe         'C     j'5-5^  2      «ajJ=o 

s  *  >P  S  2  III    i  ra 


*-s       la 


^          lC^t«'^f»O»OTf«»+'l 

jp     jp  jc  jc  P'i2  ^—^ 


§>s|  aj^-glfiQlttj  6-SffJ 

35JHii3llll&ill 


u 


ss 

s 
o 
u 


Company 
D 


Q 

> 
X 

ss 

s 
o 

U 


ismissed 
Nov.  28t 

iment,  P.  V.  Dec.  '62. 
'63;  commissioned  Capt. 
ne  '64.  at  Petersburg,  Va 
,  '64  ;  mustered  out  Oct 


t,  '64 
must 


uly 
,  '6 


Aug.  29th,  '62,  at  Bull  Run 
2nd  Lieut.  May  22nd,  '65 


metery  Washington,  D.  C 
ut  Sept.  30th,  '64  ;  end  o 


must 
tered 


; 
apt. 

,  reg 
.  1st, 
ded  J 
.  22nd 

7th,  ' 

ded 
t.  to 

eran. 

m  ce 
red  o 

eon' 
ergt. 

t.  Ma 

,  '65  ; 
July 
un. 


172nd 
.  Sept. 
woun 
Sept. 

1 


ulv 

ound 
Serg 


Vet 

sylu 
e 


. 
Se 
'6 


an.  8th,  '6 
'62;  Capt. 
Sept.  12th 


Col. 
Lieu 
,  '64 
Lieut 


;  to 
Oct. 
to 


, 
t.  S 

1st 
'62 
O. 
'63 

4  ; 
.  25t 


ered  out  Ju 
1. 
27th,  '62  ; 
oted  from 

arch  29 
July  1 
in  M 
cor 


9th,  '65  ; 
17th,  '65. 
ilitary  a 
poral  ;  m 


on  Surgeo  Certificat 
poral  ;  Set.  April  1st, 

to  Sergt.  ay  1st,  '65 


muste 
th,  '61 
ov.  2 
pro 


; 
5t 
N 


M 
out 
uried 
fro 


, 
De 
igned 
g,  Va. 

Pa. 
red 
.  ;  b 
te 


3th,  '65 
ed  to  co 


ge 
n  ; 


u 
era 


. 
'65 

m 

;  mustered  out  J 
y  17th,  '65;  Vete 


gt.  May  22nd, 
mustered  out 
,  '62,  Bull  Ru 


ried 
roll. 


'64  ;  Cold  Harbor,  V 
Veteran. 


Va.  ;  promoted  to  Ser 
moted  June  16th,  '65; 
ed  in  action  Aug.  29t 
on  muster  out  roll. 
t  on  muster  out  roll. 
m  ;  not  on  muster  out  roll 
ksburg,  Va;  died  Jan.  2nd, 
ll  Run,  Va.  ;  not  on  muste 
's  Certificate. 

6th, 
'65  ; 


sing  in  action  June 
tered  out  July  17th, 
re,  Md.  ;  Veteran. 


,  Bul 
rd,  ' 
ound 
6th,  ' 
29th, 
2,  at 
,  at  F 
29th, 
64  ;  S 
,  '6 
64. 
2  ; 
4  ; 
alti 


h,  '62 
g.  23 
of  wo 
v.  16 
ug. 
h,  '62 
,  '62, 
ug. 
th,  '6 
17th, 
th,  '6 
h,  '62  ;  mi 
h,  '64  ;  mu 
at  Baltim 


to  Majo 
to  Capt 
from  Co 
from  co 
ly  17th, 
from  2n 
from  Se 
stered  J 
from  co 
'64;  end  o 
d  from  Se 
from  Se 
from  1st 
Dec.  13t 
red  out  J 
Sept.  30i 
to  1st  S 
c.  13th,  ' 
Aug.  2 


oted 
oted 
oted 
oted 
ut  Ju 
oted 
oted 
ot  m 
oted 
th,  '6 
oted 
oted 
oted 
nded 
uste 
tured 
oted 
d  De 
nded 
erm. 
oted 
ing  i 
out  J 
nded 
uly  1 
nded 
in  ho 
Sept 
in  ho 
ing  i 
nded 
nded 
ing  i 
harge 
tered 
rted 
nded 
nded 
Feb. 


SsllllllIfllllEirpS 

oooo      o  o      o      oooo      S«pS3.o 


222 


SoS  o.  . 

J!rt>>$a 

•c  ~=-c£ 

••  «c-s  > 

O   S   3   r-   3 

E'S  o  31-. 
o.2      o 


A 
p 
1 


in  a 
Se 
De 
in 
ed 
o 


Ma 
Se 
Ju 
.  9t 


CO  CO  CO  CO   COCO   CO   S  CO  CO  CO   CO  cp  tp  CO   CO  CO   CO   CO  cp  cp  cp  S  3  CO  CO  CO  cp  CO  CO  CO  CO 

13-v-o-v  13-3  -a"  rg'"2"T3''PH''  'pf^'p'-s'  T3""?"  ?"  'H'H''H''P,''p''E"'p''H''H  -  -"p"^' " 


a,  a  a  "a    "a  a,     a     a.aa.a    "a^ao.    "aa    "a    "a  a  c.  a.  a  a  H.  as.-'  3°  o.  o.  o, 
$$$     $c/)     c/5     $$$ 


L 


a 


nil  h  i 


m 


i 


a 

I- 


H 

25 

O 


O 

u 


I 

< 

i 

o 


S^g    « 

•2S«>    .. 
1«  JiiiS'S'.sg^ 

%  33?|-    ;r^^>« 

;=<S!^>V^rt 


ss 


3 
.Q 

.31 


5{3«<5E°  -iw 

C^*''  v<  3  •«  'Own 

•^  ^-A;^  2  rt  :  >^ 

c  AJ e?>  TI    -  r  ^ 


-..>a-§  icg^v  H:-.  « 

P-^S  Sj«l>«X*8-  Si'SSSgSSSSSSrt 

.j^^.rf.k-.iJ.CCJ..  ,_'-   X"  rs.-"-------- 


S ^ 3 S p 3 S g 3 3 3 S S 3 S S 3 3 -3 3 S 3 3 S S S 3 


cl 

I* 

3  ° 

.-  D 

"£  tn 
5  3    • 

6S.5 
ti  s  .s 

rt  o  a 

111 

igg 

N!§"- 

2^  SfltfJP 


•Stf&i 

^""SsP 

•c  ^  u  bi'ELc 
SSOs§x 

>,  -TJ^x;60 

!lll! 


5  .  o 

as  s 

Si  I 

lis  ! 

.•=&<  o 

«T3  C 

<  S 

-SM^ 

»1  § 

j^  cd 


1 — '    ^'QQ  ; — '  >^  •— ; 

2    <"   *J    8     r-"  ?  '" 

3^0  s^  s^r 

0W^  0^03 
>->  O  rt  ^  b/i  v.  '"^ 
<u  «S  .n  <u  3  a;  ->-. 

l||i<i« 

B£*6|E| 

-^cc-ac^ 


>^=" 

?»s 


I 

o 

>> 

M 

S 

£  . 

c/)  c    . 

^. 

^~o* 


nx        g-gSl 

s|%sS^'l 


'  s'5'5'5^3^  g-g  >  g  «*;, 

!79S?l?S-S^2l>jii?i'S^ 

^Sijrirllltt^?0-^ 


sflfiSflfiSiJI^ 

•oS  --ct-^ss00^ 
""3  £"'-'  0(S  •  «  "^ 
-_>>-  fe^^^SlS.™ 

S^l^g^s 

SS^fiss^^s^ 

^Oi.r003?0^ 


•C  t!t-,=^  S 


5  5J 

° 


H 
^ 
O 

t 


O 

u 


Company 
E 


Ill"  »>te3*8g$iK, 

C       ^«  crt  a  .-    *j  ~    '     — -     _  **  ;3  T3       *£       ^  ? 


«-S -S 5 ^6 -5-5 5 5  «£ 5 -s" "S  " V.  •=          £ 5 . 5 5 5     «5 -5 5 

ssss^s^ssss^sssS^^^05^-^-^^^?:^10^^^  ssssj  ss 


3 

w 


I 

O 

u 


§i 


! 


o    || 

.c    ..2-5 


%  f,  S"3 


i 

'-•^.fl^kP 

jSSS.^rt^ 

^^3SSS 


J3  O  3  3'     ' 


;|i!s|l< 

fs'S'slli1- 

lgaJfe^d<'§ 

J2  on  tn'U^T)  3 
i  n  3  3  0»=  W  O 


in  ^^^3  „ 
e  •  •  >>>,e  5« 
oS^^a^  S 

,*-    -    >— n— ,— X5 

-  •567, ti  au- 
-n^^Soo<^2 
i^^S'S'S^^ 
.-^uS-ogo 

^sallilS 

'XTJOO. -£>.£</: 

iggre,^"^     -a£ 
°l^ll2wl5 

Kc  5 «-22  =  § 

Tj'S'S!  i/)vt-,<*H  3  w 


l5l5^J§§|g|S 


rilfil  *  J 

iPS  §-SS3.5P£c,-£  S5P^§g^x^ 


O 
U 


w 
;* 


O 

u 


.  ed  -   • 

r  r      1  r  r          -          -•£    '  o       -          _          r  £-0  ^; 

^  .:s|^i  •s<r/a*^ll?  rSi^'/i^gl* 

*y&l  8ri  j?.!%iaii-j^t^ 


cc   ri>^   •c<rr^-sS^  * 

S(S|^oii|1j^4ij 

^7^^?^£^|7 

«!r,  S?.9  3«t32\r«j5^aeSg«3 


Company 
F 


« 


K 


- 

* 


fe 

£ 

2S 
s 
o 
u 


3     ^ 

s 


I    s 


U 


.oja=fl^  j, 

11 

»i  li^U^S^SiahSgss  8i;si5s^,s|&S5!^t 

s  -<^ 


0)  O        0        OOO        SO        O        O        OO 


S  5O   CO  3   «O   S  CO  5O   COO   CO   CO   coco   CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  ^O  CO   CO   CO  CO  CO  CO 


o>  01  o> 


to  -5  •£  5  5 

'~(aiCTia5a5 


bb  bi      bi  bi      bo      bi  bi  bi      bebi)      bo      bib      bo  bo      bibBbJClibJjirbbbilM      ^     jDb)b)bo 

33        33        3        333        33        3        3        33        33333^3333        S        <U 


» 


SI  II 


1  1  11  «•  111! 


^? 

"3 

3 

o 

TJ 

s 

1 

?  B    •    '  ^ 

to  §  rt  |          "o 
P^^fe        -c 

eo"^  ^  «  <u 

- S5  i55w 
S^^t^S^^ 

O  3  7*  3  .,  ?   " 
r;.  ^H  x  .-•  >*  l. 


S  ^-c 


>s  s 

a; 

2    5 


1^ 


g1  £50-1 


O 

ic^S^Srt 


£    ^^ 

C— •  o  o> 

S^  «  5 

^3^- 


r—  <C 

I     '5 

^  rtl 


£     s 


9 

o 

1 


I  *J2 

s  ?l 


8  1* 

I  |sL. 

5  p£ 
""        S2« 


5s5s^! 

O^  3^<!  3  3  3 
w  o  O  v  O  O  O 
•O  'S5  -a  '33  ^  T-,  -H 

*  ^r  s  * "  K  6  £ 

O  "g   aj  'c   OJ   0)   O 


— «        w  c/: 

:55M-        ^    &oi« 

&      I  82?- 

1!  ^  5«'« 

K^ 

sS^gj^^S     ^S§ 

l^-l^1^  -£7>,J 

!w-5<Uj_i4->rt       tirtT^ 
•-^^   CU   3   35;     .55 

- 1   •QooJs'cJ* 

i|iiii1;-lll 


B    *.    j 


s  a 

'•-  — 

<L>  OJ 

I  I 

rt  {i 

'5  > 


c      =     c 


x 

s 

S 
rt 

"5 

4»         1) 


.0 

"5:       rt 

3       r 

£      rt 

r.  > 

rt       P" 


liSSSS>|S| 

S^^^^o.^  5 

^^  3  33  3--1  ^P'K 


C 

P.8  38  s 3 3 

' 


-««^^^c^2^' 

^5;  3  3  3  3  3-    —  *Q 
J<5  o  O  O  O'-.Jj^^ 

:-iiini:di« 

:caj_4j_aj_oc/-j(/!'C 

^O  3  3  3  SO        gS 


"•d«||c||c 

aj  —  i/i  "  =  O 


•II 
0 

fift 

KSiS 

|s|< 

^H^^-T3 

TJ    OJ  "^    OJ 

sisi*-2 


? 
I 

3 

en 
V 

*! 

g        Ss 

r-(         W 

1 1 

i— >        K 

*-•         U 

§  a 
|  3 

^  -fi 

«j          0^ 

£    -S 

j.i 

^ 

3  2  rt 

|«> 

s-stf 

4)  «  S 
•&4J8. 


«s1P'sWs|l 

-.-.-•-.  •^rwt! 


S*S5565S 


-33 


^-  B5g»5  -"J 

•^^       ,tfs* 


^.2,353333  -ir*"5 
^^O1^  0  O  O  O^  ^W 

fe'S'2'S'S'S'S'S'Ssl, 

^cacfesSSs-g^ 

03033330:=:= 


H 

0 


I 


m 


*:S 
o^ 

Ij 

• 

3£ 

"3 

8 

E? 

™ 

C/5 

'£-  . 

£ 

2| 

11 

>> 

CJ  " 

•-1 

'&>• 

1 

n"3 

|l 

in 

1        1 

5""1 
5| 

•c  u 
aj  to 

w    w 

t!   3 

.s        •* 

rt  w 

£s 

£              rt 

>  a; 

^ 

w   — 

^  o 

^              >_ 

Wig 

3   £ 

rt  0 

£     rt     3 

K^     "* 

£    >>.* 

ii 

!ii^ 

M 

y 

?3 

^'» 

5  rt 
*.          «> 

15  1§ 

.   -     «oi 

•-  £P   w  - 

"53       F  3 

<xn       .pq 

^^;>q;v«l^|^fe> 
Isilll^illll^i-gill 

•§-§-§c>i:|rt>^^ii^^r;o>5rt3 


^5^.H 


ss 

g 
8 


-S^S   *itt 


3-^u.iii  pj^j&^iiaisi 

y  a-fAol  ^Mi^Ss^si  9-3 


(S  C  ^^  U  S  •-  j  g  C 

J  ^1"§  s22  3  s'3     "55  >>S^i3^S  feCc 
SOft,'&,d,eL,&,aHaOi    ^^^^S^SSS^c/)^ 


II 
II 

•0.0 
30 

«       i! 

*       si 

t       .s- 

l         se 

5  SB 

Cfl  'C  — 

g  S3 

•£  c  n  8^ 
£  1  |  -I 
,1  1  «  ffi^ 


|l      I     | 
5f=     Q     Q 

lj  111 

^  si2  ir« 

II  <»I 


.     xl« 

ft  2=s  5  ' 
II  *-,,  -„ 

•Su  lh  -y 


'£•3 


o 

> 
& 

< 

PH 

s 
o 
u 


'64 
h,  '64 


to  Major  July  23 
64;  to  Capt.  Sept 

Sept.  12th,  '64;  t 


'65- 
d  in 
7th 


th,  '64;  b 
d  out  Ju 


ne  2nd 
July  1 

1st  Li 
June  2 


Capt.  Ju 
t  Lieut. 

h,  '64;  t 


62; 
;  to 

ly 
ra 


of  term. 
64;  mustered 


, 
64 


te 

62 


;  to  2nd  Lieut.  Sept.  15th,  '64;  to 
d  t  Spottsylvania  Court  Hous 
to 
t 
ta 

. 
t 


to 

64 
17 


, 
a 

t 


Sept.  30t 
rd  Sep 


'61; 
ille 
d,  '6 
red 
e  Sec 

rtific 
ered 
pital 


f  th 

Ce 
ust 
ho 


teran. 
'65;  Vetera 
'65;  Vetera 
scharged  F 


om  corporal;  mustered  out  July  17th,  '65; 
corporal  to  Sergt.;  mustered  out  July  17th 
corporal  to  Sergt.;  mustered  out  Julv  17th 
er  hospital,  Washington,  Sept.  llth,"'62;  d 
quarter  Sergt.  March  17th,  '64. 
t  Oct.  1st,  '64;  end  of  term. 
spital  at  muster  out. 
rd,  '64,  Bethseda  church;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
t  July  17th,  '65;  Veteran. 
ital  at  muster  out. 


d  r 
d  o 
d  o 
v 
d  o 
d  ou 
n  ho 
ne 
d  ou 
ed  ou 
ed  ou 
red  ou 
red  ou 
red  ou 
red  ou 
t  in  ho 


P 
M 
D 

Disc 
Pro 
Pro 


Promoted 
Promoted 
Promoted 
Sick  in  Ca 
Promoted 
Mustered 
Absent  in 
Killed  Jun 
Mustered 
Muste 
Muster 
Muste 
Muste 
Muste 
Muste 
Abs 


p  p  o  o  cp  p  ppp  ppp  p  cp  p  p  PP  P  p  p  p  p  p  p  p  p  p 

5  55  5  "^  "^  ""  3J  5  "tn  tf3  5)  I/:  tie  In  tr;  t/3  .C  ^  ^  ^  ^  5  In  In  1/3  5  5 

O.  O<  O.  O,  OH  O.  Oi  O.^        OH  O,  OH  O.  O.  O.  O,  O,4-*  O.  O.-4-*  O--^  O.O.O 

en  ccc/}  W  W  tf5  cT!c/:O  t/3c/3Cfl  (/)  $  t/3  c^  c^  O  c/)  c^  O  t/3  fc  clo  cK  c/) 


1  3 


£65 


S 

III 


o  oj 

t3    <*N 


s 

Sir 

ti- 


o  « 


=°  frl'ire'?  Ill  ff  3 


4l^ 


* 


H 
x 

C 

0 


o 


u 


.s: 


•o  u 

so 
S3 

ill 

HI 

Jig 

,11? 

^  en  v    - 

a!  .-  tn  J3 

UO'J   UJ  -^ 

y-«5T3'^ 


£H  H 

•^"S 


@       ^fc 


igtilAl 

- 

-•§  giii#ri 

^  ^IsLlI 


-il^ 


^3        V-  J3 
C,Si«   «£i 
(flC^ 


^^S'ScSp^ 
T,t:;^ScN.cT3  ojt: 


Bl  s 


ssss 


-^rS  5-  ja"55555  «-S5  ^=55^5  --S  j-  j-  ^5  j-55-55  --    5    5  j-^s^'S 
2«SS5S4l«iSSSS^ai558l88a285l5^3Si2Ss*    S    ^^^S^.-SS 


O 


O 
u 


-s 


.       _C.C 
"S  *-•  "     N  T3  " 


II 


l^is$ 


§      1H1S,  -|a 

:.•»..  .554I1ssMSfc 

p  s  >  p  p  p  %2  ^  g  -  =J.|  ^ 

55  2  5~5~5"s *'3  >| %  |> « P 
*2t'5E:J:l-'*se^  "bS^tBrSes"  - 

'"<I~'"'H'J.irf3  Z-c*  ^  £cc--c^ 
^^r-^^^a.-^  spec  o^'r^ 


£S/«>  o 

y(  ?s  _C  W   >w  te 


°££^W 

«tc«'° 


MK-Btf^ggi 

5<rti^Q2lf,^ 


OJ  CU.S  0>  (U  (U  <L>^  ST3^  2^  S-0  5 
int/)'"'(/3"c/)tn'D5o3^;T30Co^!3 
3  3.2  3333">  O:~  <U  tn  rt  71=  O 


3-S8« 

tllsi 
11^.* 

4Ssg 

«  C  rt_.  rt 


£.£0 

tS-H 

<3*?. 

><? 

OT3  ^T 

as^i 


S.i2^ 

°-5  3 

T3  .-O 

14J  0_ 
«3^ 

.S-SS 

cs  w  -=•  w  °  ^  ^ 


Company 
H 


S 
c 
u 


_  -   Q   n   <-! 

•^  O  pT  rT-r-i       C 

•£  2  c    5-       4T-w 


= : 


dl!J344*iB£32£ttJl8l!i 


^u__,j)coo-w  rtoo  ««      ^  ^^  r- 

oi^Q  ^i?2  cS^ii^  22io223-s 


T3T)^ 


„„     JOES5gUfi.2Pg_ 

22    -5    2    2    2^22 

CL.&H          ^          Ok          £          dHtfCU&H 


SP 


-  5555555 

OSOS        O^>CiO^        OiCiO^>C5O5CiO^Ci^5<Ji        OiOS^^OiO^Ci 


"a  a    "a,    "a     a, 


"a  a    "a  a  a*    "aaaa&a.aa'S.a,    "a.  a  a,  a,  a  a  a 
aj<L»      ti<ua^      Da 

ccc/2    cncocn    coc 


M  c 

£r  rt 

0)  -  OJ^ 

w*  £f" 

*J  4» 

"  CO 


£    •       B  « 


2          S 

g. .  15  g , 

" " 


c     c 


5.2f-'5.i:.2  S^^S  S  5  53  oTrt  5^=^  S  6  Ki  *  w ^  «  o  w  rt  o  c  >j3^ 

CQ pq  pg PQ  pq P5 P3  « M  ««  05 PQ M U U U U U U Q  £  G Q Q Q  Q  Q  Q  W  W  W 


Q 

W 

tD 
X 

H 
& 
Z 

O 


x 


O 
U 


5     I 


11 


<S 


3  c  =  S     -=5 


"f/JS 

O  'O  •*-*  j-t    ^ 

-  «J2  3,C 
-~  ,53  o  3 

§5bi^7 

M  l>  3  *f.  3 

^;^.<  3  o 

^•ss-s 

<  i,  -i  c  '- 


,<<  v       CS       o  .•.-*•* 

-^^(U        a;1"1        X-HTT-^W 

*  :||||^^J3p 

I45^s||i|ws^ 

ife/sKlillisI 

^1111^-1111^1 


Ci5*j   acOJj-i  (DJ5  <U  J7  ^   *^t^  M  4->  >*  *»  *»  i-i  B<fl   S<"    "  S  *<  ^jjjj-i-i-w-fc-'  5  *JS^  >rt  c<  ^  •>-'  *-• 

gs^ili«^si^|iali5^*li?-!illlllfia^»rf:il 

111  cl  c|llll^"1lH  &%$$  sll  a111111§!2<|H 


V 

s 

<C 

£  « 

^   s 


<L>   <U 

'E'H 
oo 


22    « 

si  > 
°.°-  ?s 


as 

CJ  0) 

c  n 

Z2       ro; 


*3 

,c« 

8« 

s° 


>S 
*Z 


11 

«     Ji 


a 


2.S     S«5 

—    '^>CJdrt- 

rt'^S^rtT^'^l      c 
»~  o>(j   ,  ,a     g 

beb&a^    -      e"'a      H 


1C    -J 

ir> 


~       SO       4; "  Jn 

^    w>    >>>>. 
*    lPS^5% 


t:   •« 

<3  1^ 

ri^ 
tils 

?-p—  i'~ 

'2^  OJJ2 


S'3 


5|,-2 

«  >.>2 

§^  =  ii 
|->^;  3  5 


5o     S 


v..."--Vi"-   s"8    a 

-•S-~3  rt-r?^^^  fe  «-          S 
.t^  iti  .*^  i^_ "     x*      _     ^  u         -   •-      c 


P 

1^2 
N^^^xBSJx-g 

*J   0—   3"3'32'^'3   O 

^  i-5J      "-"-"^  =^u 
QoiN-ti*-'*-'  a  £  *i^ 

'TJ  «  ^3  o  o o  S2 

&lll»?7S5-ol 

i^-^aiwajssi;^ 
5T3i>4>a»-St3i»o555;4>c'p 

^^^^^H^f-K^^^S^Bs^-Ko^^  _ 

_ ^_  _  =~-»*5i*-;1w; rj-Q—  333-S-£3o3S~S  C—  OO^S^a]-^^ 

?^5£^Q555S<SS^542i55S552SS5«S»5SSSS^S^^«SSD55 


«7?t:^^  s'iJ-^s 5 

333   3^         3^   S-°  £     .^T 

O  O  O  O  <!  hr,1— '^  •-  OT)  _  ^-0 


SS'onB'C'tJ'uTJ'K^tntJS^0^ 
OOtnOOWcn^JJggawSSS 

<  ^  n  ^  ^  >N  n  n  o  ^  ^  "2  "^  ^  '••>  >> 


I 

E 


I 
o 
u 


£ 


o 

t    '.£3    u 

S  .•£:§  2      rt 
Ofc~«S     B 

^'E'Hog     > 
gOrtO^     •£ 

&gS-g§    S 

***«f,4 


id 

?1  "S 


<  i 

>;  >- 

v-  rt 

|  S 

s  -g 

c^j  £? 


^-"•S  ^| 

..^    ^   7^    ^         »— .  --^ 

°°^-3  -'gs 

iii^^i 


C3 

^|> 
^°U 
^£3 

«S-g 
,i*S 


^    < 

^    -3 


-3       |g    2  S 

5       'gScc  « 

§       .o^gv  U 

SiQS^oi0  « 

h-S.'-'-Cl'SS  § 

«<£5os-c".  g, 

in  O£r$I  <U  .-GJ3  C* 

« £ IH IH  gjjV- w «  t; 

.r  >^  >.  U  3  •  -^ 


Company 
I 


o 
u 


biti     ti         tic  si:     to      M     bio     blc  bi     b«  bi  btbi  fcijs  be  be  MtijD  'X'S,  bio,  Q,  t>«  ^  bi  ^"5. 

33        3  33        3        3        3        33        33333o;3333D5t'JJ"3j7nJ'3333i7 


«"  •  s  '  '    :   '  : -'&'«'  B 

?  •  M  a;  •  «    ,-c  •  •  h;»r  •  ft  •  e- ->  •  „ 


«i.Bt/3^,      B      W 

~~      rt  '-"jj" 


~    KS^x^™-^^    -    ^     Sb^uu^^     ^0*':^  .-*     %  °^<j--UJ"" 
«     K||-gN-3«^     s     i5flfeS.S^S|liill|||^|*N2-|-gl" 

£    §SS^g|§S   -S    &ife^§8Sj§I§ll52*l|£|.|&:clfi2£ 


29 


•3       •S 


1       f 


~-  0) 

2      « 


£> 
5 

E     1 


3    f. 


Q 
H 
£ 
£ 

H 
£ 

u 


> 
& 
< 

PH 
S 

O 
u 


a;      ,0 
73^  m 


^  <"  ^       ^i  j=       5J 
e^S     ^£     ^ 

D   ^r^       ^^        P* 


H-gl  II! 

4^=-  B?JS 


It?     S 

rt  C/J   W  Q 

M  "-  3       • 


?  -s; 


- 


§    -3 

3     Pr: 


6^-^   3         3  " 


o  o 


o  o  o  o  o  o  o  o 


bi  a,  a  MJD     x>  j=  *j'  -i-J  *-•'  biui 

S   0>   4J   3   0)         (D<uacj03<l) 


Kfc 

m  r^  ^   ^  TO  'O 

rtH    _<ui->      >,<u 

'          r-  J      -         1-    »i 
Cfe 


f— •&  '  '  8      '  rt  ~  '  '  -  '-  '  --A  '^  -  -  tf 

l^-S'rtpS    ^^fe^-g!  J  6-'  c~f'M~'  2'^  rt 

c^t;^  £a  S^  Su-ek£>  f 

2   -DH  i-rc  .  "«-^  es!3rt  £  JS   -  ->  cj 


ii^C-14  s&  ra --"i  ""^Pffi-  i^  -  J  ii«" "" 


"01      o  o  o  o_a>_aj  o 


-l^rt 
V  V  C 


•-O    '  w  5  «    -•wwwwwo^'-^.g'-'      •  O 

^1313^-  3 -O  "O -U  T)  T3  T3  "O  T3  T)  *J3^'T:!'S'^ 
Stu^^t-,^1-'^^^;  •)2ii-C" 


KKl*$Ktt&™&5£* 

i§?.i5i;ll5ll|l  li^llid 
||||  {-SOT  js-s-s  £?S<ll11lS s 


i 

1              £ 

>> 

1                            | 

•ji                                     g 

^                             -c 

2 

r^ 

5       -{ft 

dj                                -        S        W  « 

Q                      *     S      «=§ 

•2                *    -S    |- 

&                     S     «     •*:§ 

A   S    |< 

^           &5  |  ^>- 

—                      cu  o      °     —  .  <u 

C/3 

^                        =  o      -c      -o  •£ 

>                 «5I     -    -cS 

U! 

<  £        «        3  « 

M 
< 

z:       <^s  1  -?.-s 

S 

•a                        •  *•      !        c5 

U 

c                   D=      J    .2  a 

04 

J2                   x2     «      oS 

^                         S  w      '„      rtJ3 
^                     -aj^:«_:             3  -  -  -  - 

i 

x- 

3 

«§          rt        '             ">'—     ^'"^          ^>>'-''o^ 

w 

5 

Q      -^              q3"S       ^0^*0  ^^C 

4 

1        *Sl           !•§     o^«a    *^\*     ' 

"  ~ 

5 

J^                     ^O.2                                   Qg              *J§'H''"               ?1   fc  ^ 

; 

ssSp^l^i  ^tf|^-JSl^^^ 

H 
H 

F 

ttliiifll^ip!?}  =  "  " 

:  s 

^| 

O  O  f-  O  O  S"uTJ^  O  O  U  -=  O  £"C^"S  §  O^'B 

H 

•o  T3  S  -o  "O^^  ^STJ-C  t:'o'a'^  Scs  c5'c'T3<'^ 

- 

S  u-|  v  U.STJ  S  g  S  £^"c  ^  =  ^^"^  S  S-o*!3  -  3  • 

:  r 

: 

§  §5  §^-g       w^  si  5  ol  1  w'S'S  s  s—  rt 

; 

^^(/5^^(^     'Q^^Sr-^So-iGQQ^^^r-1 

p 

SSSSSS    SSSSSdSSSSSSSS 

u 

H 

W 

.c|666|    ||5§|5||||||-'6 

J 

O^COC^C^        C^                    QO        C^r-  iC^T-HC^C^IC^ 

z 

M 

M 
2 

g 

OH 



.^'    .    .    .    r    

U 

•"  c"  '    '   -  •"      rxT  '    --a"'-^  -  '  ^   -  '   '-  S   •"  '>;'"' 

S 
•< 
fc 

III  ifi  P/SI'I  illflrtllW 

tefi 

fl 

•sl 

iisiii  ci^hhhm^iiiitiiitQS 

Wfc 

Company 
K 


o 
u 


sccneecc"-'      e»«M33ineBoc<v«w'v_n* 

SSSuS0^'0^^33300^'0'0-0---^'41'^'^ 


3P;P       pp—;-  —  —  —       —  —;0;—— ~—;r~  "- 
^«          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^    ^  r^     ^    ^     ,  r;     -    -    ^    *-    -    ~    ^    ^  r?  ^ 


Ji  =  S 


a^ 

<,•  3 


ijj  j-ji*»*JJ* 

15  «  a  v^  "  £  B  u  o  o  o  o  ^  o  S  5  «»v  «  w  o  o  &  o  o  o  «  p  o  o  u  o  o  o  ,y  TJ  o  o  rrj;  £ 
fctL<<p§;§SQOOOOO£O^^OOOOOOOOO^OOOOOOOSfcOOcr.SS 


H 
25 

O 

U 


O 

u 


>        « 


P£5 

„  3  C-) 

.^K^ 

^  «  a 


t>  «p 

XTJ" 


a  3  ^         « 
^-9^       T3 

•— >J  D  -3 

s. « •- 

£•  -  o        <D 

i    ^      -8s£    g 

i     1>        ^ll     1 
^s!ps^l||l  p^il  sspss|«: 

!-»—-•        "    -^-tn^     -  ^'  '_S^        „.-..   ,« ^ 


3 
I 

V 

35 


-  _--  -  --  -      - 

O  -C   Q.  *J  ,0" 
V  ^  S  O  V 


PH 

o 
u 


M       §2 


33 


)  rn   O      '       »X  O  .X  CJ  "^       iC  >;"•' iC  iO  irj  ^   _: 

:  u  a.  o      o      <o  « J«      «oto">socog^ 

!U{/3^        "     J""^§O        ',"_'-'  .'  ,CC  ^ 

•  >  jf  2  o  "3  '^  "3  £  C  o  ^^^^^H,  oSooooo'5 


J-g   0,^x1  J3J3  «J3^D   c  tJ'S  *jXJ-OXJ£  J3  *J-5  J3j0^2   a  a^2  J3  jf  "g  J=  J5  J2  •£  -'  -M  *j  X:  XJ 


SE." 


-.|E|^u.5S,:o« 


•*txV,V>  =  p  S8  >;«>  g-o     ««  cj£  5J  CCTJ  g-=j:  dSS.aJS,'d  «  C  S^-r-ojS.i 


I- 

</3 


;>  § 

^    ?o 


o 

=-u  § 


S3    S 

^» 


.jj  -4     -d" 
-J-r)     ^ 


3      a, 


TTS  s 

^  -  -s 


«   :.D 


en 

P 
W 


OT3  T3     •  T3  i>  T3  "w  "O  I'/.'C  T3  "O  "O  T)  7t  T3 
4ia)O<u>Sa;a;  ^w  _u  i>  w  a;F  a> 

{)         "oouo      ooo2o'oooor,'o 

*       esjj£,QESS-geessE5S 

^        0,6,     a< 

,M*J       *J        O-t^^CliCXCXO-^"*^       *^ 

OO     O     </)OO(/)c/>c/3(/;O     O 

S  ^  eg 

M  a  u    ffi 


I 


•C     •         •       e    •    •  M  o 

uQ    o    ,J;<offi£ 


fc 
W 
S 

HH 

o 


:  ;  s  :  3  3  s  3 


of;  cn  O  t/3 


,e.n.fl.CpC  .c.e  .e.c  .c  .c  .c  x  J  x 


ffi'ii ii  1*1 1'lifiiiiipii 


ITtinerarv 


5 

S 

1 

ll 

I 

~ 

E 

'j. 

i 

rt 

o 

rt 

0 

I 

•  "S 

& 

a 

u 

I 

E 

CO 

^ 

rt 

o 

U 

-: 

S 

I 

•E 

o 

rt 

o 

= 

« 

rt 

* 

"> 

'2 

S 

5? 

^ 

o 

"S 

? 

1H 

s 

a 

W 

^ 

^4 

!1J             • 

.2 

-0 

rt 

_o 

^          5 

| 

S 

. 

c 

rt 

U 

> 

S 

3      "rt 

g    f 

5 

a 

o 

•c 

c 

.— 

TJ 

u 

,>> 

£ 

a 

C 
rt 

•J 

u 
u 

o      ^ 

B 

IH 

nT 

S 

U< 

O 

l  , 

'Zj         rt 

M 

'3 

£ 

S 

J5 

§ 

2 

5        "Q 

td 

o- 

TJ 

o 

,0 

2 

VH 

u 

rt 

1 

J 

Sd| 

3 

"a        .S 

+7 

o 

'5 

•             +1   Q, 

£ 

*  ft  iy 

M 

^ 

|             | 

"o 

.S  v 

* 

>      "SpS 

£ 

1*°  § 

NERAR1 

rH       w    »             *d 

-C  i)      s       i> 

<°  51  t  1 

00    11    |    S 

O.  oj       M       "O 

.862 

in  the  taking  < 

swberne  went 
;  Monroe,  on  tl 

mac  river  to  A 
dy  roads. 

to  Culpepper, 

tramped  all  n 
ich.  Forded 

is  were  out  of  t 

^ji  i> 
*  ^t  <" 

o-c  rt 

art  i_ 

! 

! 

•o 

-^tt 
CO 

"tf« 

H 

t—  i 

H       •;:  M      ^        C 

1 

^s 

15 

||| 

i   -if 

n 

S  2-c 

•a 

rt  rt      p  •£  S 

1 

|£ 

3 

|o| 

o        2"^ 

'1 

111 

i 

g.a'Sc.S'S'S  o 

S 

>% 

•s 

j 

•§•§ 

rt  ^ 

O 

E 

t 

s 

!|i 

*->  ^ 

oi            cd  x 

.3        u  "3 

1= 
s 

^ 
u 

*-•   n;"5 

•gjjc/J 

counter 

S|is5i 

.g«u*Sg|| 

111!!!!! 

g|^>«1i 
si's^J 

S?2  a  sz-o  a 

ed  on  steamer  Peabi 
it  to  Newberne,  N.  ( 
mer,  Cossack, 
returned  same  night 
n  the  morning,  and 

:nt  into  camp, 
ills  and  Warwick  C( 
ort  News,  30  miles, 
ction. 
>ssack,  up  Chesapea 
Falmouth,  Va.,and 
'clock  in  the  evenini 

:  Orange  &  Alexand 

3ed  on  Cedar  Run. 
iment  started  on  ma 
iburg,  only  a  few  mi 

ild  the  enemy  in  che 

day. 
.orning  and  on  marc 
it  all  day  and  part  c 
i  and  hungry,  throu* 

/arrentori  Junction, 
renton,  2  miles  then 

.  fe  S  o  i   "U  s 

52g*«|||' 

'i 

^ 

SeS 

*«| 

au2° 

5    |£g 

f 

*S|o| 

^  rt 

£ 

^llKlf 

regiment 

regiment 

icrne,  on  J 
latteras,  £ 
lerne  at  ni 
all  day. 

'e'Wfc; 

"§fl 

C/3    O 

sli« 

^  G  y  j- 

*!&&,! 

•a  °^"  u  1*  ^3  s^ 

S  *j  C  "Q   J 

•^  c  rt^  t 

inarched  t 
owards  V 
ock  at  nig 

•S'B^^S^S^ 

"o 

o 

£     Is"0 

t*«S*a 

T3T3^  0 

•§     a  o  tn-a 

U.C 

s  "o  ^  u  *" 

,  ~~ 

"o 

i-  ^T3T3  1/;'T3^,T' 

S«||JJ5|& 

ffics'£'Eorto£ 

c 
o 

t 

|£|£| 

Mi-si  ill 

^  s  is   £  rt 

=  •3^*1^ 

•g-S«a|j 

—  '  i 

s| 

'o 

,Sj<<HjiSW 

£ 

Jp^J^ 

52 

|£||5|g«           H 

1S«I 

^^^ 

S«N^^ 

P5  ThrfS  5  00  O» 

I 

"^'^'^56 
S  «  s  sS  a 

Ii 

.^.    T 

L 

t 

fci 

^  c^  ^  <*^ 

£f  ^-~*    ••     O  ""    ""     OJ 

K 

^'~~   3   3 

-   -   - 

-     p  2   3 

333333 

3 

33333 

3   3 

<(%       2       Q 

s 

1 

£" 

% 


_O       J5 

T!     *•• 

o    2 


7:     —        T3 


IN 


111 


w 


i|      o 

£    1     5 


c 


I! 

o_.£ 


1  - 

o     ~ 


a 

oj 

d 

^ 
gd 

h 

be 
s 
g 

a 

a 

3 

Cfl 

1 

3 
C/3 

c 

- 

O 

B 

11 

1 

| 

— 
rt 
0 

5 
- 

3 
0 

0 

1 

'rt 

to 
3 
60 

3 

Cd   *-* 

~ 

^j 

r: 

c 

rj 

o 

<• 

T3    t/3 

11 

~ 
B 
Bl 
CO 

ng  nigh 

a 

rt 
O 
en 

afterno 

,  and  se 

cd 

01 
^ 

a 

re  last  . 

10 

;o 
Tf< 

O  § 

'C 

| 

_s 

JU 

S 

(C 

E-o 


T3  « 

%  a 

^  S 

rr!  ~ 


3° 


13 

O 

II 

K 

••* 

j3 

O. 

'2 

o 

<J 

*•** 

X 

»c 

rt 

V 

.3f 

c 

C 

<J 

p: 

<y 

rt 

cc 

*J 

E 

1 

£ 

* 

o 

> 

a 

ed 

g 

o 
a 

<U                        -tl 

"""                  a, 

"3 

rt"                ^ 

•c             "3     j 

3                  S 

•££ 

«J             -o    •% 

~                            rt 

Q 

E               o>     o 

3 

3                8 

G 

<              .S    > 

- 

*J                                     *T3 

'               x               1    •§> 

j 

r 

f  1    1 

E 

1              1              ^     ^ 

- 

*"O        3                 ,*;• 

o 

.                          C       "^ 

r 

£       "^  >>            i-i          s 

E 

^                   4>                   rt      ^^ 

3 

1  -5|     1  | 

cd 

e  "H      i         4  « 

} 

D 

3  1    *S     1  •« 

-J"O        h/j       <U  °             ">       "^ 

§    .S 

3        S            ^'c            ^jW        § 

H 

rt.^    3    -c'5-      2    §               ^ 

c     .52 

1   °     igi    -|  - 

£ 

A 

|«    I    "H'l       Kg                ^ 

co^      .-       rtT3            g       ft                         H 

2     2<2 

c      >>Ji 
E     >•« 

^    -2        ^"S        -g  a^  a. 

I 

r 

*iii!  II 

^"§    S    ^  -        "    s 

^    So 
o  a 
in 

T3         .  >> 

§    £-3 

i  xj  f!   jjlj 

H 
H 

Started  early  through  Fox  Gap  crossed  the  Oranj 
Burnside  in  command  of  the  Army  of  Potomac,  m 
Still  on  the  tramp. 
Reached  Falmouth,  and  camped  opposite  the  city 
Then  changed  camp. 
Terrific  artillery  firing  at  river,  left  camp  and  ma; 
Crossed  Rappahannock  river  on  pontoon  bridge, 
Battle  of  Freclericksburg. 
On  city  streets,  waiting  for  events. 
Throwing  up  rifle  pits  during  the  early  portion  of 
Inspection. 
Regiment  supporting  the  llth,  New  Hampshire,  r 
On  picket  on  river  bank. 
Regiment  again  on  picket. 
Orders  for  rations  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunitic 
Muster  for  pay. 

,  Review  of  the  Ninth  Army  Corps. 
,  Regiment  on  picket  guard. 
Marching  orders,  three  days  rations  and  sixty  roi 
Orders  countermanded. 
Preparations  for  moving.  Troops  on  march  all  d; 
Rained  the  entire  night,  all  drowned  out,  rain  all 

still  raining. 
,  Still  in  camp. 
Troops  returning  toold  camps,  movement  postpoi 
Regiment  on  picket  guard. 
Withdrawal  of  Burnside  from  command  of  the  Ar 
,  Regiment  on  picket  guard. 
Snow  and  very  cold. 
Packed  up  and  board  of  freight  cars  and  reached 
Sailed  at  five  o'clock  in  morning,  reached  Hampt 
Started  for  Newport  News  and  went  into  camp. 
Inspection  and  rain. 
Grand  review  of  all  troops,  rain  or  snow  every  da 
Packed  and  stowed  on  steamer  Jno.  R.  Warner,  s; 
All  day  on  Chesapeake  Bay,  arrived  at  Baltimore, 
Troops  loaded  on  freight  and  flat  cars  at  Northel 
Stopped  at  Altoona  a  few  minutes, 
Reached  Columbus,  Ohio. 

.fl.c.c.c.fl.s.G.G.s.e.c.e-^.c.c-j;- 

&&£.&  f,  •£ 

T3-T3.C  r:-^T3x:^!j3x:xiX^:j:j=43 

SSgS£5M3££S*Xfiti 

•**&»* 

MMaMffasiItfll 

'        " 


•2    "o,       w  5  S 

S      £         Ma         <r>  o 


fcN  crQjO^'^<--}l-J""r-<O           U  O  C  -1-   .*-• 

«g  lfc-l§§f|J§  H^  tils  > 

"5*  rtajS^g^o.^'-^.s  '"*3  a^  •£.£_•  *j 

E^  £^2&'C'S.>5i^  l'E-2  ^2£H£  = 


J3      'i-'  w  £  «  g  -r 

=        w  .  «J=W  is^a 
o       l»ji^'M*tmtn 


.^  ^CC^OQ^  ".  pQi2  2^ 

W  ^'C                  S^s  ^-S  >—      SM  "£"  bo       • 

I  2^-g    I      fl      'H  '   IE"  I   lit  l|  1 

I  M.S.-t|    :       SSd    I  §^  -    ^|=  -^|    I 

f  |||a  I     |||  1  1 1  I  1||  a|  I 


si  ?iii  i*i^^  ^    .is    B« 

Dvi  Ui^JGCXi-'-O*-1  ui  -4-»ajrt  s 

^°       ^li^llo^g     8  p2  g       1    i2^22«2      .E^2g| 

*«.13si'§'M_gS    Sv.-    1.^1^      ^       o    -Hb^i^sg,    &c^=^t5i 

l§3.s»l  SluSgwi: 


_^^=^i:  *& 
S       =5§5"Hf2    .c 


u^.2us5S£<3s^Ji(S5s3ogS(Si6S^^iH^£5^5l5o(2S<2SSagli5 


3          .2 

£ 

1          *"* 

*j 

3                In 

'u 

J3 

'o 

T3 

5             e 

g 

^ 

3 
O 

• 

d 

"S 

rt 

*$ 

«5 

E 

t! 

"3 

CD 

r^ 

0 

o 

H                S 

4 

| 

1 

00 

55 

c 

•*        € 

- 

at 

rH 

1 

1 

>               rt 

H 

^ 

o 

, 

4         §•.- 

c 

<u 

a 

rt 

•5 

'         -gl 

bo 

0        • 
0 

c- 

~?l 

H               rt  — 

'_ 

c 

rt 

M 

•fi  o 

_- 

3 

rt 

3 
_O 

^  a        5 
o  „         "^ 

idon,  rain,  muddy  roads. 
>ressing  Union  Army,  orders  to  fa 
Lenoirs,  rainy  weather,  marching 

npbell's  Station.  Union  army  fel 
le  city,  all  communication  cut  off, 
firing  the  entire  day. 
ses  to  get  range. 
;  charged  and  repulsed, 
e  charged  rebel  line. 

:  Fort  Saunders  and  repulsed. 
;1  all  along  the  line, 
ishing  all  day. 
)xville  raised.  Sherman  from  Ch 
ongstreet,  reached  Rutledge. 
/I  Hole  Gap. 
larch  reached  Knoxville. 

"ross  Roads, 
ebel  troops, 
-enlisted  for  three  years, 
r  the  term, 
r  pay. 

First  snow, 
mrch  for  home,  on  thirty  days  fur 
ich  river  at  Walker's  ferry, 
igh  Tazewell. 
aherland  river. 

day. 
:  entire  day,  stopped  at  London. 
Ml.  Vernon. 

hard  and  Bryantsville. 
Oman's  Bridge  and  camped  until 
Lexington. 

i  for  Covington,  arrived  morning 
y  and  took  train  at  Little  Miami  c 
reached  Pittsburg. 
ched  Harrisburg  in  afternoon, 
'ottsville,  remained  on  furlough  ui 

£^  %v 

O  u  w  cq  g  - 


elllulrt!llll 

rtbh^rrt1-.  UiiiuCOu 


.T3 

£S 
O     - 

5.22 

tlington  and  camped  near  Alexandria 

xl  £ 

£  «  ^ 

•3?  ^ 

fc*  -c 

4_1  O  0) 

rt£  3 

•ss  -2 

12  8 

rt  r/l 

U 
1(3 

S 

be 
'5     S 

-•     > 

rt      •— 

.1     57 

S^l 

^  beS 

0 

>t 

> 
rt 
U 
,C 

60 

^ 

mt  on  the  front, 
ough  Burhamville. 
in  river, 
on  pontoon  bridge 

i  pontoon, 
urg. 

*•'  "o 
rt  a 

</i 
rt 

!^ 

^^3  1 

"=  1  .2  5 

•  >, 

^  > 

SB 

2^ 

• 

C« 

M 

<r 

^  ^  ^  ^ 
S^u  u 

v  *-"  rt  > 

°-s 

•    CQ  ri 
•3  S 
S< 

> 

"So 

ll  i'i«  J  1 

Is 

=  — 

*-      L.' 

SE^ 

52-a 

"H 
a 
f 

STlSt 

2  1^1 

!l 

Ft  for  Harrisburg. 
Camp  Curtin. 
ncaster,  Philadelphia,  s 
:amer  Georgia  reached 
march. 

rching  all  day. 
idensburg,  passed  throi 

pfl  ^  S  O!  —  '  •  "  • 

y 

^SSolSl^ftS-gl 

^  Kfclrt'o  ^  =  rt=^o  =  3S 
.cg:i^'H-ci«-S--rt  «E^j 

r^  <U  S  °-"3  rt  U  .£  V)  -J  2  -  W!«  G 

^5^|4lM!|!l| 

ilniiii^ipjiii 

rched  all  day  and  nigh 
imped  all  day. 
rched  until  11  o'clock  a 
iched  North  Anna  rive 
der  fire  all  day,  started 
rched  the  entire  day  ur 

O 

.ri 
>s 

S 
> 
be 

"p 

camp, 
rched  to  Shady  Grove, 

g-6      uES-'Sl** 

tl^  IgitISS 

=  ijc    «'Cc«rto-n= 

«  °  T.'S     -S«3  «  U2  en- 

i-S|5c°-oS-gaWl^ 

1  g>i  «^'o-  S  E<2  «  2 

|5jB«!U^ggl'-»« 

be-^"j;'~  (flu-,1^  B  *j  CA  D^; 

«  •£«  Sso^Hc2-a* 

=!oll|9l^-il 

-o  >-S-g^i  -l^f  I'M 

J^Ju^O 

5  Sr' 

3c?HSo«2i<Kl^i£fc5w5 

2 

H 

^      ^ 

hr  5 

^ 

«g 

DCK§ 

rt  O._^2  rt=  rt 

33Ufco5^<S 

CJ< 

0 

U 


> 
ti 

< 
& 

w 
£ 


"      c 

<u      £ 


1  .2 


- 


jn^:  o 

<U   0- 

>- 


",'E'"5  o3-5"u°-* 


ay  no 
attox 
natio 
d  Bla 


OBJ!        3 

C"5  ti        ° 


Z. 

5^ 

Ct3 
a!  rt 


-  ' 


S  ^  Sl5  o  5  m  o        - 
,0  ^  E--  a-cw 


'   r?  c 

NIVER8 

Of 

£^J/pRN\£. 


"An  oft-told  tale". 


RETURN     CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 

TO—  ^      202  Main  Library 

LOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

1  -month  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling  642-3405 

6-month  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing  books  to  Circulation  Desk 

Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  due  date 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 


AUG  281975 


AUG     4 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 

FORM  NO.  DD6,  60m    11/78          BERKELEY,  CA  94720 

®$ 


ru 


. 


£527 


188243 


